AFGHANISTAN
******************************* AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION **************
Gunmen Kill 32 at a Minority Event in Kabul
As people were marking the death anniversary of Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari, who had been slain in 1995, at a ceremony in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood, a pair of gunmen on March 6, 2020 opened fire, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens more. Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for carrying out the assassination. The event was addressed earlier by Abdullah Abdullah, who had left by the time attack was staged. When the gunmen opened fire, Karim Khalili, chief of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, was addressing the crowd, but he was not injured. The pair of gunmen then took refuge at a building opposite to the venue, leading to hours-long fight with the security forces before they were killed.
Dual Ceremonies Held to Swear in Political Rivals
Afghanistan descended into further political instability on March 9, 2020 when it needed the stability the most to implement the February 29, 2020, peace agreement between the U.S. and Taliban as the incumbent, Ashraf Ghani, and his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, were sworn in at two different venues in Kabul simultaneously. The main ceremony at the presidential palace for Ghani was attended by foreign dignitaries such as U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin S.Miller, and U.N. Secretary-General's personal representative to Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamocho. The parallel ceremony for Abdullah Abdullah was held in the adjoining Sapedar Palace, and live-broadcast by Tolo TV.
At least 17 Killed in a Mole Attack at a Joint Base
An insider attack at a joint police-military base in Zabul Province on March 20, 2020 killed at least 17 police and military personnel.
ASEAN (ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS)
ASEAN SUMMIT 2019 (NONTHABURI, THAILAND) (NOVEMEBER 2-4, 2019)
CHINA
Provincial Government Deletes Data, Document
After last month's publication of related internal document and speeches by The New York Times, China's far-west Xinjiang province's government has begun tightening control over data, document and other information, according to The Association Press. The Associated Press reported on December 14, 2019 that the regional government and Urumqi Communist Party chief, Xu Hairong, had begun to implement internal controls on information flow, including how tens of thousands of Muslim Uighur people had been detained in training camps and brainwashed to become integral part of Chinese society and loyal to the tenets of CPC. According to the report, local officials began destroying related data and document, and tightening on information sharing after the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists had put focus on investigating into the detention camps. Urumqi Communist Party chief, Xu Hairong, called the reports compiled by the western journalists as "malicious smears and distortions". Earlier this month, U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure, Uighur Human Rights Policy Act, that denounces Chinese policy of crackdown in Uighur. China criticized the measure as meddling in the affairs of a sovereign country.
China Takes away Press Credentials from Journalists of Three American Outlets
Days after U.S. State Department labeled five Chinese media companies, including Xinhua, "foreign missions", making all of their U.S.-based employees to require special credentials, Chinese authorities on March 17, 2020 announced that all the American reporters tied to three U.S. media companies--The New York Times, The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal--would lose their journalist credentials and have to leave the country in 10 days. The tit-for-tat measure is the latest sign in worsening Sino-U.S. relations in the midst of a low trust between the nations over novel coronavirus.
Beijing-Washington Relations in a Tailspin
Days after Trump administration ratcheted up pressure on China by imposing sanctions, including travel ban, on four Communist Party officials in Xinjiang Province for perpetration and detainment of millions of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities, China on July 13, 2020 hit back with equal vengeance, targeting four top-ranking Republican Party officials for sanctions. The four Republican leaders include Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, Rep. Chris Smith of N.J. and Sam Brownback, Trump's representative for religious freedom.
********************** HUAWEI CFO'S ARREST BY CANADA ********************
INDONESIA
INDIA
Violence over Controversial Law Kills 23
Days after Citizenship Amendment Act was passed, the protest took a sharper edge of violence with a spontaneous participation of millions of youths, students, workers, professionals and teachers among others across the nation and a harsher crackdown by several BJP-ruled states, especially Uttar Pradesh. On December 21, 2019, nine protesters were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh, raising the death toll to 23 since the protest against CAA had begun. The act, according to critics, undermines the very secular fabric of India as it offers citizenship to displaced people of Hindu, Sikh, Farsi and Jain religions--but not Muslims--who have been persecuted in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh and are now seeking asylum in India.
Protest against CAA Intensifying
Tens of thousands of people, especially the students, are taking to streets spontaneously across the nation to demonstrate against Narendra Modi government's Citizenship Amendment Act. The law allows any illegal foreigner, who is Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, Jain and Parsee, to file for citizenship if the applicant can prove that [applicant] has been persecuted for the religious belief in Muslim-dominated Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The law excludes Muslims. The law is being seen as an attack on the secular fabric of India and a direct hit at the constitution of India. On December 27, 2019, floods of protesters hit cities such as New Delhi, the capital, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai and others.
Violence Fill the Streets of Capital during Trump's Visit
As President Donald Trump visited India and flew to Ahmedabad to attend the biggest rally ever that he had addressed, India reeled into violence over Narendra Modi's Citizenship Amendment Act. New Delhi's streets were filled with debris, blood and stones as security forces and youths, most of them were Muslims, fought pitched battles daily beginning with the first day of Trump's visit on February 24, 2020. As of February 26, 2020, at least two dozens were killed in New Delhi alone.
20 Indian Soldiers Killed High in the Himalayas
In the worst brawl with China in more than four decades, Indian Army lost 20 soldiers in hours-long battle in Galwan, high on the Himalayas in Ladakh, on June 15, 2020, in which two sides had used bats, sticks, stones and other hand-held weapons, but no shots were fired. Since the June 15, 2020, tragic border clash, both sides were working militarily and diplomatically to defuse tension. On June 19, 2020, China claimed that disputed area of Galwan belonged to the country as a foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, said that "the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of China-India boundary".
Twin Suicide Bombings Kill Close to 50
Twin suicide bombings targeted government authorities on September
17, 2019 days before the presidential election. First suicide bombing
struck near the venue of an election campaign of President Ashraf Ghani at
Charikar, 35 miles north of Kabul, killing at least 26 people and
wounding more than 50. The first suicide bombing happened outside the
venue of a raucous campaign rally attended by Ashraf Ghani and his
running mate, Amrullah Saleh. Hours later, a second suicide bombing
rocked outside U.S. Embassy and Afghan Defense Ministry, killing some 22 people
and injuring at least 38.
Taliban Attack, U.S. Airstrike Kill 24
Two days after a pair of separate suicide bombings had killed
around 50 people, a Taliban suicide bomber on September 19, 2019 blew up
near a hospital at Qalat in Afghanistan's Zabul province in the
south, killing at least 15 people and wounding 66. Taliban later claimed
that its suicide bomber had targeted an intelligence establishment, but local
people said that it was a mosque adjacent to a hospital that got hit.
Meanwhile, a U.S. airstrike early September 19, 2019 in the country's
east killed at least nine people. A U.S. military spokesman in Kabul, Col.
William Leggett, said in the aftermath of airstrike said that U.S. had
targeted Islamic State in Nangahar Province.
Anti-Taliban Raid Kills 40 Civilians
A September 22, 2019, counter-terrorism raid by Afghan security forces backed by the U.S. airstrikes at the Musa Qala district in Afghanistan's Helmand province went seriously wrong as more than 40 civilians attending a wedding party were killed in the raid. At least a dozen people were wounded. The provincial council head, Attahullah Afghan, said that two different raids had taken place in Musa Qala, and civilians were killed in the second raid. Afghanistan's defense ministry issued a statement, saying that at least 22 Taliban fighters were killed in the counter-terrorism raid, not implying if that had happened either in the first, or second, raid, or both, if one had to believe what Attahullah Afghan said about two different raids at two different parts of Musa Qala.
Imran Khan Calls for Resumption of U.S.-Taliban Talks
Hours before meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of U.N. General Assembly, Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, prodded on September 23, 2019, addressing the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, that U.S. should resume talks with Taliban.
Imran Khan Calls for Resumption of U.S.-Taliban Talks
Hours before meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of U.N. General Assembly, Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, prodded on September 23, 2019, addressing the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, that U.S. should resume talks with Taliban.
******************************* AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION **************
Less than one-third Votes in Presidential Election
Fewer than 2.5 million out of 9.6 million voters had cast their votes in September 28, 2019, presidential election. The government deployed 70,000 security personnel to guard polling stations, but to underline the lack of security in many parts of the country, 2,400 out of 7,400 polling stations were shuttered. Incumbent Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are primary contestants in the presidential election. The results are to be officially published weeks away.
President Wins the Presidential Election
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appears to have been re-elected to presidency on December 22, 2019 after almost two months of staggering counting process. Hawa Alam Nuristani, head of Afghanistan's election commission, said that Ghani had received 923,868 votes, or 50.64%, in September 28, 2019, presidential election. Ashraf Ghani's primary challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, received 720,990 votes although Ms. Nuristani didn't provide a percentage figure for the country's chief executive. Abdullah Abdullah didn't recognize the results, and didn't concede. Marking his victory, Ashraf Ghani said in a nationally televised address that "we will connect and unite all Afghans".
******************************* AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION **************
Afghan President's Effort to Resuscitate Taliban-Afghan Talks
After collapse of U.S.-Taliban talks, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was exploring ways to open an opportunity for intra-Afghan talks, and with his bold move on November 12, 2019, Ghani made a giant leap towards that goal. During the day President Ashraf Ghani announced a deal to free three high-profile commanders of Haqqani network, a closely tied group to Taliban, in exchange for two western professors--American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks--seized by Taliban in August 2016. Western diplomats are looking forward to how Ashraf Ghani's political gamble works out.
First Female Afghan Ambassador to U.N. Vows to Defend Woman Rights
Adela Raz, the first woman top envoy of Afghanistan to the United Nations, expressed concerns on November 19, 2019 that Afghanistan's current government might not go far enough in talks with Taliban to protect the rights of girls and women earned since the fall of Taliban regime. She vowed to represent the Afghan women, and added that the founding of the Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan was why so important to represent those rights.
President's Surprise Thanksgiving Day Visit Lights up American Troops
President Donald Trump made his first foray into America's longest war on November 28, 2019 as he had Thanksgiving dinner with American soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. He also met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani before leaving Afghanistan. Trump's surprise Afghanistan visit came couple of months after talks with Taliban had collapsed.
Khalilzad Resumes Talks with Taliban
After U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a Camp David meeting with Taliban in September 2019, U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad resumed talks with Taliban representatives at Doha on December 7, 2019.
********************************** SIGAR REPORT *******************************
SIGAR Report on Afghanistan Slams U.S. for Misleading Americans
The Washington Post on December 9, 2019 published a treasure trove of information obtained based on interviews with key military commanders, civilians and diplomats that highlighted how the civilian and military leaders had constantly misinformed the public on the state of Afghan situation. The Washington Post won the release of more than 2,000-page report under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The identities of most of the personnel interviewed were kept confidential to protect them. The document was compiled by the Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, the agency created by Congress in 2008 to investigate into waste and fraud in Afghan battlefield. John Sopko, the inspector general of the agency, SIGAR, acknowledged to The Washington Post that the "American people have constantly been lied to".
In 2014, SIGAR deviated from its original mission of investigating into fraud and waste in Afghan Theater to focus and research on policy failures and how to avoid them in future. The $11 million-project, Lessons Learned, involved interviews with more than 600 people, and SIGAR staff interviewed them in Afghanistan, London, Brussels and Berlin. Out of them, 62 people were identified, but overwhelming number of people were blacked out to hide their identities. The Washington Post filed a lawsuit to force SIGAR to reveal the names of people interviewed. The case is now pending at the federal courthouse of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District of Columbia. The interviews expose how presidents and cabinet officials have consistently exaggerated and embellished the outcome of the longest war in the U.S. history. Since 2016, seven Lessons Learned reports were published.
Since 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, close to $1 trillion was spent in Afghanistan by Defense Department, State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, with so poor results to show. U.S. military and civilian leaders had been hiding key facts from the American public, including the failure to wean away Afghan farmers from cultivating poppies. U.S. spent so far $18 billion to fight against poppy trade, only to see record poppy trade last year. The so called "nation building" exercise, which has cost more than $133 billion as of today, has been an abject failure with little to show in fostering democracy, fighting corruption and standing up strong and sustainable institutions.
What's more staggering in the SIGAR's Lessons Learned reports that both the political and military leaders had portrayed a totally opposite picture of what's brewing in Afghanistan to how more than 600 people interviewed had painted the real scenario.
In the longest war in America's history, more than 775,000 troops had been deployed in Afghanistan, 2,300 had died and 20,589 injured, according to the Defense Department.
President Wins the Presidential Election
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appears to have been re-elected to presidency on December 22, 2019 after almost two months of staggering counting process. Hawa Alam Nuristani, head of Afghanistan's election commission, said that Ghani had received 923,868 votes, or 50.64%, in September 28, 2019, presidential election. Ashraf Ghani's primary challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, received 720,990 votes although Ms. Nuristani didn't provide a percentage figure for the country's chief executive. Abdullah Abdullah didn't recognize the results, and didn't concede. Marking his victory, Ashraf Ghani said in a nationally televised address that "we will connect and unite all Afghans".
******************************* AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION **************
Afghan President's Effort to Resuscitate Taliban-Afghan Talks
After collapse of U.S.-Taliban talks, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was exploring ways to open an opportunity for intra-Afghan talks, and with his bold move on November 12, 2019, Ghani made a giant leap towards that goal. During the day President Ashraf Ghani announced a deal to free three high-profile commanders of Haqqani network, a closely tied group to Taliban, in exchange for two western professors--American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks--seized by Taliban in August 2016. Western diplomats are looking forward to how Ashraf Ghani's political gamble works out.
First Female Afghan Ambassador to U.N. Vows to Defend Woman Rights
Adela Raz, the first woman top envoy of Afghanistan to the United Nations, expressed concerns on November 19, 2019 that Afghanistan's current government might not go far enough in talks with Taliban to protect the rights of girls and women earned since the fall of Taliban regime. She vowed to represent the Afghan women, and added that the founding of the Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan was why so important to represent those rights.
President's Surprise Thanksgiving Day Visit Lights up American Troops
President Donald Trump made his first foray into America's longest war on November 28, 2019 as he had Thanksgiving dinner with American soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. He also met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani before leaving Afghanistan. Trump's surprise Afghanistan visit came couple of months after talks with Taliban had collapsed.
Khalilzad Resumes Talks with Taliban
After U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a Camp David meeting with Taliban in September 2019, U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad resumed talks with Taliban representatives at Doha on December 7, 2019.
********************************** SIGAR REPORT *******************************
SIGAR Report on Afghanistan Slams U.S. for Misleading Americans
The Washington Post on December 9, 2019 published a treasure trove of information obtained based on interviews with key military commanders, civilians and diplomats that highlighted how the civilian and military leaders had constantly misinformed the public on the state of Afghan situation. The Washington Post won the release of more than 2,000-page report under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The identities of most of the personnel interviewed were kept confidential to protect them. The document was compiled by the Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, the agency created by Congress in 2008 to investigate into waste and fraud in Afghan battlefield. John Sopko, the inspector general of the agency, SIGAR, acknowledged to The Washington Post that the "American people have constantly been lied to".
In 2014, SIGAR deviated from its original mission of investigating into fraud and waste in Afghan Theater to focus and research on policy failures and how to avoid them in future. The $11 million-project, Lessons Learned, involved interviews with more than 600 people, and SIGAR staff interviewed them in Afghanistan, London, Brussels and Berlin. Out of them, 62 people were identified, but overwhelming number of people were blacked out to hide their identities. The Washington Post filed a lawsuit to force SIGAR to reveal the names of people interviewed. The case is now pending at the federal courthouse of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District of Columbia. The interviews expose how presidents and cabinet officials have consistently exaggerated and embellished the outcome of the longest war in the U.S. history. Since 2016, seven Lessons Learned reports were published.
Since 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, close to $1 trillion was spent in Afghanistan by Defense Department, State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, with so poor results to show. U.S. military and civilian leaders had been hiding key facts from the American public, including the failure to wean away Afghan farmers from cultivating poppies. U.S. spent so far $18 billion to fight against poppy trade, only to see record poppy trade last year. The so called "nation building" exercise, which has cost more than $133 billion as of today, has been an abject failure with little to show in fostering democracy, fighting corruption and standing up strong and sustainable institutions.
What's more staggering in the SIGAR's Lessons Learned reports that both the political and military leaders had portrayed a totally opposite picture of what's brewing in Afghanistan to how more than 600 people interviewed had painted the real scenario.
In the longest war in America's history, more than 775,000 troops had been deployed in Afghanistan, 2,300 had died and 20,589 injured, according to the Defense Department.
SIGAR: Billions of Dollars Wasted
In a searing report released on March 1, 2021, the Office of Special Inspector-General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, said that billions of dollars invested in buildings and vehicles in Afghanistan had been wasted. The report stated that SIGAR had taken a look at $7.8 billion in spending in buildings and vehicles in Afghanistan and found buildings and vehicles worth $343.2 billion having been "maintained in good condition". The SIGAR Inspector-General John F. Sopko said that the waste had happened in violation of "multiple laws".
********************************** SIGAR REPORT *******************************
************************* PEACE PROCESS WITH TALIBAN *********************
A Seven Day "Reduction in Violence" Accord Reached
U.S. and Taliban negotiators on February 14, 2020 agreed to a seven-day truce that would require all sides in Afghanistan to refrain attacking from each other and also civilians. Once this "reduction in violence" is in place and if things go in the right way for the next seven days, there is possibility that a more formal agreement to enhance the peace will be signed next weekend.
Seven-day "Reduction in Violence" Deal Takes Effect
A temporary truce agreed for seven days as a prelude to a formal agreement next weekend has taken effect on February 21, 2020. The "reduction in violence" agreement is a huge gamble for the U.S. to bring Taliban and Afghan government to the same negotiating table and pave the way for eventual withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the longest American war theater. Although the "reduction in violence" deal has been reached last week and the deal has to go in effect within days, it has been delayed after February 17, 2020, official declaration of the Afghan presidential results in which President Ashraf Ghani has eked out his primary challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, by a narrow margin. Under the "reduction in violence" deal, Taliban, Afghan security forces and U.S.-led coalition forces will stop attacking the other sides and the civilians for seven days, leading to a likely signing of a formal peace treaty on February 29, 2020. The formal agreement will likely call for release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from Afghan jails.
Historic Peace Accord Signed between Taliban and USA
After a seven-day observance of "reduction in violence" during which all sides refrained attacking on each other, Taliban and U.S. negotiators on February 29, 2020 signed a historic peace agreement at Doha. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who witnessed the historic signing of the deal inked by the chief negotiators from both sides--Zalmay Khalilzad led the U.S. negotiation team and signed the agreement--said that the "chapter of the American history on the Taliban is written in blood". The salient features of the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Taliban agreement call for:
* Launch of an intra-Afghan peace negotiation
* Guarantee that Afghan soil will not be used by foreign extremists to launch attacks on the USA
* Release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from Afghan jails before the start of intra-Afghan peace talks
* Withdrawal of 14,000-strong U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 14 months, including bringing the troops level down to 8,600 in 135 days
Since the military invasion of Afghanistan in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, attack, U.S. spent close to $1 trillion in Afghan War.
President Trump Holds Talks with Taliban Leader over Phone
President Donald Trump accorded life's loftiest prestige to Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar as he had held a phone call with the reclusive leader on March 3, 3020. President Trump called the telephone meeting "a very good talk".
Commander Testifies "Taliban Attacks" Higher than What's Expected under the Peace Agreement
At a U.S. House Armed Services Committee hearing on March 10, 2020, the top commander in charge of the Middle East, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, gave a chilling context of how U.S. was working to implement the February 29, 2020, Taliban-U.S. Doha Peace Accord. Gen. McKenzie said that he had plan ready to withdraw 8,600 of the 14,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the summer, but beyond that, no plan had been made. Gen. McKenzie also said that the level of violence perpetrated by Taliban and related militant groups was not "consistent with the idea to actually carry out this plan".
Afghan President Put a Hold on Taliban Prisoner Release
Jeopardizing the possibility of intra-Afghan talks, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on March 14, 2020 issued a decree to postpone the anticipated release of 1,500 Taliban prisoners. The decree laid out a rather phased-out release plan, including
* 100 prisoners to be released per day until 1,500 mark reached
* Remaining 3,500 prisoners to be freed in another waves of releases, but conditioned on the nature and progress of talks
Under the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement, 5,000 Taliban prisoners are to be released from the government custody while 1,000 on the government side are to be released from Taliban captivity.
Afghan President Forms Negotiation Team for Talks with Taliban
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on March 27, 2020 announced a 21-member team led by former intel agency chief Masoom Stanikzai to open talks with Taliban as part of the next step of the February 29, 2020, peace agreement between the USA and Taliban. Ghani's chief political opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, who had declared himself the president, criticized the 21-member negotiation committee for the lack of inclusiveness. However, the criticism is not only limited to Abdullah Abdullah, it is extended to other political groups too. Rights groups find it very hard that the team will be led by Masoom Stanikzai, who had earned notoriety for leading a special forces unit, Unit 02, that had committed some of the gross human rights abuses and was forced to resign over fake killings of four brothers last year. However, it's not clear how effective the negotiation will be when Abdullah Abdullah is at a loggerhead with Ghani and demanding a more authoritative power-sharing arrangement with Ghani, who has rejected the demand as that requires convening of a loya Jirga, or a national grand council.
100 First Taliban Prisoners Released
Afghan government on April 8, 2020 released the first 100 of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from Bagram Prison in Kabul. The release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from the government custody and 1,000 government personnel from the Taliban detention was part of the February 29, 2020, U.S-Taliban Agreement signed in Doha, Qatar. The intra-government talks are at a standstill, however, not because of Taliban, but because of internecine political feud between two Afghan political powerhouses--namely President Ashraf Ghani and his political nemesis, Abdullah Abddullah, who had declared himself the president of the country too. Expressing the frustration over political turmoil in the Afghan political power structure, U.S. State Department's Bureau of South and Eastern Asia's Affairs issued a statement on April 8, 2020 via tweet that the world and "donors are frustrated and fed up by personal agendas advanced ahead of the welfare of the Afghan people".
************************* PEACE PROCESS WITH TALIBAN *********************
A Seven Day "Reduction in Violence" Accord Reached
U.S. and Taliban negotiators on February 14, 2020 agreed to a seven-day truce that would require all sides in Afghanistan to refrain attacking from each other and also civilians. Once this "reduction in violence" is in place and if things go in the right way for the next seven days, there is possibility that a more formal agreement to enhance the peace will be signed next weekend.
Seven-day "Reduction in Violence" Deal Takes Effect
A temporary truce agreed for seven days as a prelude to a formal agreement next weekend has taken effect on February 21, 2020. The "reduction in violence" agreement is a huge gamble for the U.S. to bring Taliban and Afghan government to the same negotiating table and pave the way for eventual withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the longest American war theater. Although the "reduction in violence" deal has been reached last week and the deal has to go in effect within days, it has been delayed after February 17, 2020, official declaration of the Afghan presidential results in which President Ashraf Ghani has eked out his primary challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, by a narrow margin. Under the "reduction in violence" deal, Taliban, Afghan security forces and U.S.-led coalition forces will stop attacking the other sides and the civilians for seven days, leading to a likely signing of a formal peace treaty on February 29, 2020. The formal agreement will likely call for release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from Afghan jails.
Historic Peace Accord Signed between Taliban and USA
After a seven-day observance of "reduction in violence" during which all sides refrained attacking on each other, Taliban and U.S. negotiators on February 29, 2020 signed a historic peace agreement at Doha. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who witnessed the historic signing of the deal inked by the chief negotiators from both sides--Zalmay Khalilzad led the U.S. negotiation team and signed the agreement--said that the "chapter of the American history on the Taliban is written in blood". The salient features of the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Taliban agreement call for:
* Launch of an intra-Afghan peace negotiation
* Guarantee that Afghan soil will not be used by foreign extremists to launch attacks on the USA
* Release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from Afghan jails before the start of intra-Afghan peace talks
* Withdrawal of 14,000-strong U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 14 months, including bringing the troops level down to 8,600 in 135 days
Since the military invasion of Afghanistan in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, attack, U.S. spent close to $1 trillion in Afghan War.
President Trump Holds Talks with Taliban Leader over Phone
President Donald Trump accorded life's loftiest prestige to Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar as he had held a phone call with the reclusive leader on March 3, 3020. President Trump called the telephone meeting "a very good talk".
Commander Testifies "Taliban Attacks" Higher than What's Expected under the Peace Agreement
At a U.S. House Armed Services Committee hearing on March 10, 2020, the top commander in charge of the Middle East, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, gave a chilling context of how U.S. was working to implement the February 29, 2020, Taliban-U.S. Doha Peace Accord. Gen. McKenzie said that he had plan ready to withdraw 8,600 of the 14,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the summer, but beyond that, no plan had been made. Gen. McKenzie also said that the level of violence perpetrated by Taliban and related militant groups was not "consistent with the idea to actually carry out this plan".
Afghan President Put a Hold on Taliban Prisoner Release
Jeopardizing the possibility of intra-Afghan talks, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on March 14, 2020 issued a decree to postpone the anticipated release of 1,500 Taliban prisoners. The decree laid out a rather phased-out release plan, including
* 100 prisoners to be released per day until 1,500 mark reached
* Remaining 3,500 prisoners to be freed in another waves of releases, but conditioned on the nature and progress of talks
Under the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement, 5,000 Taliban prisoners are to be released from the government custody while 1,000 on the government side are to be released from Taliban captivity.
Afghan President Forms Negotiation Team for Talks with Taliban
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on March 27, 2020 announced a 21-member team led by former intel agency chief Masoom Stanikzai to open talks with Taliban as part of the next step of the February 29, 2020, peace agreement between the USA and Taliban. Ghani's chief political opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, who had declared himself the president, criticized the 21-member negotiation committee for the lack of inclusiveness. However, the criticism is not only limited to Abdullah Abdullah, it is extended to other political groups too. Rights groups find it very hard that the team will be led by Masoom Stanikzai, who had earned notoriety for leading a special forces unit, Unit 02, that had committed some of the gross human rights abuses and was forced to resign over fake killings of four brothers last year. However, it's not clear how effective the negotiation will be when Abdullah Abdullah is at a loggerhead with Ghani and demanding a more authoritative power-sharing arrangement with Ghani, who has rejected the demand as that requires convening of a loya Jirga, or a national grand council.
100 First Taliban Prisoners Released
Afghan government on April 8, 2020 released the first 100 of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from Bagram Prison in Kabul. The release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners from the government custody and 1,000 government personnel from the Taliban detention was part of the February 29, 2020, U.S-Taliban Agreement signed in Doha, Qatar. The intra-government talks are at a standstill, however, not because of Taliban, but because of internecine political feud between two Afghan political powerhouses--namely President Ashraf Ghani and his political nemesis, Abdullah Abddullah, who had declared himself the president of the country too. Expressing the frustration over political turmoil in the Afghan political power structure, U.S. State Department's Bureau of South and Eastern Asia's Affairs issued a statement on April 8, 2020 via tweet that the world and "donors are frustrated and fed up by personal agendas advanced ahead of the welfare of the Afghan people".
Loya Jirga to Consider Release of Last Batch of Taliban Prisoners
As the last 400 of nearly 5,000 Taliban prisoners planned to be released under the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Taliban Peace Accord was held up, continuing a barrier preventing talks between Afghan government and Taliban, a Loya Jirga was convened in Kabul on August 7, 2020. The Loya Jirga, originally scheduled to be held between August 7, 2020 and August 9, 2020, may wind down on August 8, 2020 because of coronavirus concern. The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Loya Jirga to approve the release of 400 Taliban prisoners for the sake of Afghan peace. is also to consider women's roles in Afghan society amidst Taliban's increasing role in running the nation under a likely agreement between Taliban and Afghan government.
President Heeds Loya Jirga Recommendation; Announces Release of 400 Taliban Fighters
After the Loya Jirga approved release of the last 400 Taliban prisoners, President Ashraf Ghani, addressing 3,400 attendees of the non-governmental, but influential, gathering, announced on August 9, 2020 that the government would quickly release the last 400 of 5,000 Taliban prisoners. These 400 prisoners are hardened militants, and many of them are on the death row. The head of the country's National Reconciliation High Council, Abdullah Abdullah, chaired the Loya Jirga.
Taliban Unveils 20-member Negotiating Team for Intra-Afghan Talks
After release of last batch of Taliban prisoners by Afghan government, stage was set for launching of intra-Afghan talks, and Taliban rightfully seized the moment by announcing a 20-member negotiating team to talk with government officials. Supreme head of Taliban, Maulvi Hibatullah Akhunzada, named the 20 members, including 13 from the Islamic group's ruling council, according to the lead Taliban negotiator, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, who said to The Associated Press on August 23, 2020. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who has signed the February 29, 2020, peace deal with the U.S., will continue to hold the powerful of office of Taliban's political arm based out of Doha, Qatar.
Six Taliban Prisoners Flown in to Doha; Intra-Afghan Peace Talks to Begin
With all but six Taliban prisoners released from Afghan prisons, Taliban wanted six of their members to be freed too. However, there was one kink there: all six are accused of killing American, French and Australian nationals, and many of U.S. allies have objected to the release of so called high-value Taliban prisoners. At last, there is a face-saving plan, and as part of that plan, six have been flown out of Kabul to Doha on September 10, 2020. For now, they will be under house arrest in Doha. With their release, the intra-Afghan peace talks will begin, most likely, on September 12, 2020.
Intra-Afghan Peace Talks Begin
Far from the rugged battlefields, under splendid chandeliers of an ornate hall, Taliban negotiating team and Afghan government officials on September 12, 2020 met at Doha for what could be described the launch of a historic peace negotiation between the parties. Addressing the September 12, 2020, launch of intra-Afghan peace talks in-person, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that it was "a truly momentous occasion" and warned both sides of the peril if they would not do "hard work and sacrifice". U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was also on hand. From the Afghan government side, Abdullah Abdullah is leading a strong delegation. During his flight from Kabul to Doha, Abdullah Abdullah told reporters on September 11, 2020 that no one should demand one-sided advantage in the negotiation. Addressing the launch session, Taliban's chief negotiator, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, sounded optimistic about future of Afghanistan, pronouncing that it would be a country "where everyone lives peace and harmony and no one feels any discrimination".
Intra-Afghan Peace Talks Begin
Far from the rugged battlefields, under splendid chandeliers of an ornate hall, Taliban negotiating team and Afghan government officials on September 12, 2020 met at Doha for what could be described the launch of a historic peace negotiation between the parties. Addressing the September 12, 2020, launch of intra-Afghan peace talks in-person, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that it was "a truly momentous occasion" and warned both sides of the peril if they would not do "hard work and sacrifice". U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was also on hand. From the Afghan government side, Abdullah Abdullah is leading a strong delegation. During his flight from Kabul to Doha, Abdullah Abdullah told reporters on September 11, 2020 that no one should demand one-sided advantage in the negotiation. Addressing the launch session, Taliban's chief negotiator, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, sounded optimistic about future of Afghanistan, pronouncing that it would be a country "where everyone lives peace and harmony and no one feels any discrimination".
Biden
Administration Shares a Draft Peace Proposal with Government, Taliban
Frustrated
by a stalled negotiation in Doha, Biden administration sent an eight-page
draft proposal to Taliban and Afghan government leaders for their review and getting
ready to come up prepared for negotiation in Turkey in the coming weeks. The
Associated Press obtained the draft on March 8, 2021. The draft
includes, among others, a framework for a durable cease-fire, protection of
women’s and minority rights, and a Truth and Reciliation Commission as a
healing mechanism.
Taliban Warns against Continuing U.S. Presence in Afghanistan beyond Deadline
After March 17, 2021, interview aired on the ABC News had put a fresh doubt on the U.S. withdrawal timeline as President Joe Biden dithered to give a clear answer during the interview whether he would honor a May 1, 2021, timeline for complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghan soil as part of Trump administration's agreement with Taliban, there was an air of uncertainty over the restart of the stalled peace talks which were being held in Moscow on March 18, 2021 between Taliban and government representatives. A day after the peace talks were held in Moscow, a Taliban negotiator, Suhail Shaheen, on March 19, 2021 told the correspondents in Moscow that not honoring the May 1, 2021, withdrawal timeline would amount to a "violation of the agreement" and that "will have a reaction". Shaheen also reaffirmed the demand for an Islamic government in Afghanistan and he dismissed the Ashraf Ghani government as anything but Islamic.
Turkey to Host Intra-Afghan Conference
U.N., Qatar and Turkey on April 13, 2021 sent invitations to Afghan government and Taliban to attend a conference at Istanbul between April 24, 2021 and May 4, 2021. Three co-conveners issued a joint statement on April 13, 2021, committing to a "sovereign, independent and unified Afghanistan". The Istanbul conference will also include representatives from 21 nations: Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, U.K., U.S., Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The invitations were also sent to European Union High Representative Josep Borrell, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, and Organization for Islamic Conference Secretary-General Youssef Al-Othaimeen. On the day of invitations for the Istanbul Conference being sent by the U.N., Turkey and Qatar, The Associated Press reported that U.S. President Joe Biden on April 14, 2021 would reset the timeline for U.S. troops withdrawal from Afghanistan to September 11, 2021, 20 years after 9/11 occurred, possibly angering the Taliban. Under the U.S.-Taliban agreement last year, all U.S. troops would have to be gone by May 1, 2021. The announcement of Istanbul conference came a day after Taliban publicly said that it would not participate in peace talks scheduled to be held later this week.
Biden Extends Withdrawal Timeline
Using
the same White House Treaty Room that President George W. Bush used to launch
war on al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden told the nation on April
14, 2021 that he would withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September
11, 2021. Biden, short of declaring victory, instead focused on the key goals
that U.S. had achieved.
Blinken Tries to Sell Biden Troops Withdrawal Plan to a Leery Afghan Government
A day after U.S. President Joe Biden announced all U.S. troops withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, 20th anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attack, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken took an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on April 15, 2021. He assured two top Afghan leaders that U.S. would stand by Afghanistan. After a meeting with President Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace, Blinken told reporters that he came to Afghanistan to show the "commitment of the United States to the Islamic republic and people of Afghanistan". He met separately with Abdullah Abdullah, head of National Reconciliation Council, and repeated the same message that "it's a new chapter, and we are writing the new chapter together".
Top General Warns against U.S. Troops Withdrawal
Appearing before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on April 20, 2021, the U.S. Central Command head, Gen. Frank McKenzie, told the lawmakers that once the withdrawal was done, it would be very difficult, but not impossible, to carry out counterterrorism effort, if situation on the ground so warranted, in Afghanistan. The drones have to go much wider distances as they will not be flown from bases in Afghanistan and the U.S. military is in discussion with other countries in the region to find suitable bases for the drones, according to Gen. McKenzie whose blunt assessment has put a cloud of uncertainty over the post-September 11, 2021--timeline that President Joe Biden has set for complete withdrawal of U.S. troops--future of Afghanistan.
Last Phase of Troops Withdrawal Begins
As per the withdrawal plan announced on April 14, 2021 by President Joe Biden, U.S. troops withdrawal's final phase officially began on May 1, 2021, heralding a gargantuan task of withdrawing 2,500 to 3,500 American troops and 7,000 NATO soldiers, determining which equipment and hardware to bring back home, which to hand over to the Afghan security forces and which ones to sell in the scrap markets, and completing the complex process by September 11, 2021. Taliban is not committing to peace yet as it wanted all U.S. troops to be out by May 1, 2021 as per the agreement that it had signed with Trump administration. Top commander of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin Miller, told an Afghan journalist in an interview, video clip of which was shared with the reporters by the U.S. military spokesperson Col. Sonny Leggett late May 1, 2021, that coalition forces would "have military means to respond forcefully to any type of attacks".
European
Nations Race to Pull Troops from Afghanistan
In
the deep contrast to the public show of unity that European allies had displayed
by rallying behind the U.S. militarily two decades ago as part of a mission to
defeat and oust al-Qaeda, troop withdrawals by the coalition partners so far
happened on a very low key. As the U.S. has begun to withdraw troops on May
1, 2021 in the race towards completing the process by September 11, 2021,
some of the European allies are rushing towards completing the withdrawals
months before the deadline. Germany and Italy on June 30, 2021 declared
that they had completed their missions in Afghanistan. Poland’s last troops
returned home too. As of June 30, 2021, based on The Associated Press
estimate, at least 4,800 troops from 19 coalition partners have remained on the
Afghan soil as part of the Operation Resolute Support mission.
U.S. Pulls from Key Military Base
The Associated Press reported on July 2, 2021 that U.S. and coalition troops quietly completed their withdrawal from the Bagram Airfield, epicenter of counterterrorism campaign in America's "forever war", overnight. The airbase was handed over to Afghan security forces. U.S. General Austin Miller, head of the coalition military mission in Afghanistan, on July 2, 2021 met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
Iran
Hosts Inter-Afghan Talks
After
the talks between representatives of government and Taliban bogged down at
Doha, Qatar, there was slimmer of hope amidst an intense fighting in the
western Badghis Province as Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on
July 7, 2021 hosted talks at Tehran between Taliban and Afghan officials.
Biden Announces U.S. Mission to End on August 31
U.S. President Joe Biden on July 8, 2021 said at a White House briefing that the U.S. mission in Afghanistan would end on August 31, 2021. He also urged Afghan government officials and Taliban to reach a deal.
Top U.S. Commander Relinquishes His Command
Underscoring the winding down the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, Gen. Scott Miller, top NATO and U.S. military official in the country, on July 12, 2021 relinquished his command in Kabul.
Taliban Chief Favors a Political Settlement as the Latest Round of Talks Begins at Doha
A day after negotiation between Taliban and Afghan negotiators resumed at Doha on July 17, 2021, a press statement attributed to Taliban chief, Maulavi Hibatullah Akhundzada, sounded an optimistic note for the international community as well as Afghans as the "Islamic Emirate strenuously favors a political settlement" in Afghanistan despite making "military gains and advances". The July 18, 2021, statement by Taliban chief coincided with the second day of talks at Doha, where the government negotiators were led by the number two cabinet official, Abdullah Abdullah. Meanwhile, the U.S. envoy to the intra-Afghan talks, Zalmay Khalilzad, now in Qatar, expressed hope for a peace and calm during Eid al-Adha that would begin on July 20, 2021.
2,500 Afghans to be Evacuated to Virginia
A Defense Department notification sent to congress on July 19, 2021 includes a plan to evacuate 700 Afghans, who have worked closely with the U.S. military over the years, and 1,800 family members to the U.S. military base at Fort Lee, near Richmond, as their visa applications are being processed. The evacuation, as part of "Operation Allies Refuge", is being hastened as Taliban and allied militants are making military gains at a lightning speed across Afghanistan amidst drawing down of U.S. and other coalition forces.
************************* PEACE PROCESS WITH TALIBAN *********************Gunmen Kill 32 at a Minority Event in Kabul
As people were marking the death anniversary of Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari, who had been slain in 1995, at a ceremony in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood, a pair of gunmen on March 6, 2020 opened fire, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens more. Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for carrying out the assassination. The event was addressed earlier by Abdullah Abdullah, who had left by the time attack was staged. When the gunmen opened fire, Karim Khalili, chief of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, was addressing the crowd, but he was not injured. The pair of gunmen then took refuge at a building opposite to the venue, leading to hours-long fight with the security forces before they were killed.
Dual Ceremonies Held to Swear in Political Rivals
Afghanistan descended into further political instability on March 9, 2020 when it needed the stability the most to implement the February 29, 2020, peace agreement between the U.S. and Taliban as the incumbent, Ashraf Ghani, and his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, were sworn in at two different venues in Kabul simultaneously. The main ceremony at the presidential palace for Ghani was attended by foreign dignitaries such as U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin S.Miller, and U.N. Secretary-General's personal representative to Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamocho. The parallel ceremony for Abdullah Abdullah was held in the adjoining Sapedar Palace, and live-broadcast by Tolo TV.
At least 17 Killed in a Mole Attack at a Joint Base
An insider attack at a joint police-military base in Zabul Province on March 20, 2020 killed at least 17 police and military personnel.
U.S. to Cut Aid to Afghanistan
Hours after an unannounced visit to Afghanistan where Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tried his best to persuade Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah--both had declared themselves the winners of last year's presidential election--to work out their differences and form an inclusive government, but in vain, U.S. on March 23, 2020 announced that it would slash from the annual aid package of $1 billion, starting immediately as part of punishment to the continuing bickering that might torpedo the nascent peace agreement.
At least 25 Sikhs Killed in Gudwara Attack in Kabul
In one of the most barbaric attacks on the remaining Sikh population in Afghanistan, a gunman stormed into a Gurdawara on March 25, 2020, and indiscriminately fired rounds, killing 25 worshippers and wounding dozens. Hours after the attack, the Afghan special operations forces secured the place of worship and freed several dozens of more than 150 worshippers trapped inside the temple when the attack had begun. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Both India and Pakistan decried the senseless attack.
More than 40 People Killed in the Day-long Attacks
It was a bloody Tuesday on May 12, 2020 as attackers trained their venoms on "soft targets", including a maternity hospital in western Kabul that had killed 16 people, including two babies. Three gunmen stormed the maternity hospital at Dashti Barchi, a mostly Shiite area, leading to hours-long siege. All three gunmen were killed. Although Taliban had denied any responsibility for the maternity hospital attack, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said during the day that Afghan defense force would change the strategy and no more follow the defensive posture as Taliban had ramped up attacks despite the peace treaty with the U.S.
In Nangarhar Province, a suicide bomber on May 12, 2020 targeted a funeral, killing 24 people and wounding 69. In eastern Khost Province, a bomb hidden in a cart killed a child and injured at least 10 at a marketplace.
U.S. Envoy Blames IS for Hospital Attack; U.S. on Track to Meet the Troop Withdrawal Plan
U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on May 15, 2020 that he was confident that Islamic State's Afghanistan franchise had been behind the May 12, 2020, attack on the maternity hospital as the U.S. was on track to withdrawing the U.S. troops and leave only 8,600 troops by July 15, 2020 and all of the troops out by Spring 2021. as part of the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement. Many foreign policy analysts think that Trump's agreement with Taliban is a cover for U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Ghani, Abdullah Sign Power-sharing Deal
After months of bickering and self-declaring themselves as presidents in parallel ceremonies, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah had realized that for the sake of their own political survival, it was high time to reconcile their differences which encompassed mostly around their personal goals rather a profound difference in visions, and signed a power-sharing agreement on May 17, 2020. Under the deal, Ashraf Ghani will continue to be country's president, while Abdullah Abdullah will head the National Reconciliation High Council, authority to chart out the peace process with Taliban and other insurgents. The cabinet will have equal representations from both sides.
Jalalabad Bleeds Under IS Attack
While a three-day cease-fire between Afghan government and Taliban is holding well from July 31, 2020 to August 2, 2020 to observe Eid ul-Adha peacefully, the local affiliate of Islamic State is in no mood to brook such gesture, and they have carried out an audacious attack on a Jalalabad prison using a suicide car bomber and multiple gunmen, killing at least 3 people and wounding dozens. A Taliban spokesman denied any responsibility for August 2, 2020, Jalalabad attack as well as a separate July 30, 2020, suicide attack in Logar Province that had killed at least 9 people.
Prison Brought under Control After Hours-long Firefight
After hours-long fierce fighting, Afghan security forces were able to bring the Jalalabad prison attacked by a suicide car bomb accompanied by multiple gunmen on August 2, 2020. On August 3, 2020, the prison was under the control of authorities, but not before at least 39 people had been killed, including 10 attackers, and more than 400 prisoners loyal to local affiliate of Islamic State had been freed.
Assassination Attempt on VP's Life
An assassination was made through bombing targeting the convoy of Afghanistan's First Vice President Amrullah Saleh on September 9, 2020 during the rush morning commute hour in Kabul. At least several bodyguards and commuters were killed in the bombing, not claimed by anyone yet, but Saleh had escaped.
Hours after an unannounced visit to Afghanistan where Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tried his best to persuade Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah--both had declared themselves the winners of last year's presidential election--to work out their differences and form an inclusive government, but in vain, U.S. on March 23, 2020 announced that it would slash from the annual aid package of $1 billion, starting immediately as part of punishment to the continuing bickering that might torpedo the nascent peace agreement.
At least 25 Sikhs Killed in Gudwara Attack in Kabul
In one of the most barbaric attacks on the remaining Sikh population in Afghanistan, a gunman stormed into a Gurdawara on March 25, 2020, and indiscriminately fired rounds, killing 25 worshippers and wounding dozens. Hours after the attack, the Afghan special operations forces secured the place of worship and freed several dozens of more than 150 worshippers trapped inside the temple when the attack had begun. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Both India and Pakistan decried the senseless attack.
More than 40 People Killed in the Day-long Attacks
It was a bloody Tuesday on May 12, 2020 as attackers trained their venoms on "soft targets", including a maternity hospital in western Kabul that had killed 16 people, including two babies. Three gunmen stormed the maternity hospital at Dashti Barchi, a mostly Shiite area, leading to hours-long siege. All three gunmen were killed. Although Taliban had denied any responsibility for the maternity hospital attack, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said during the day that Afghan defense force would change the strategy and no more follow the defensive posture as Taliban had ramped up attacks despite the peace treaty with the U.S.
In Nangarhar Province, a suicide bomber on May 12, 2020 targeted a funeral, killing 24 people and wounding 69. In eastern Khost Province, a bomb hidden in a cart killed a child and injured at least 10 at a marketplace.
U.S. Envoy Blames IS for Hospital Attack; U.S. on Track to Meet the Troop Withdrawal Plan
U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on May 15, 2020 that he was confident that Islamic State's Afghanistan franchise had been behind the May 12, 2020, attack on the maternity hospital as the U.S. was on track to withdrawing the U.S. troops and leave only 8,600 troops by July 15, 2020 and all of the troops out by Spring 2021. as part of the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement. Many foreign policy analysts think that Trump's agreement with Taliban is a cover for U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Ghani, Abdullah Sign Power-sharing Deal
After months of bickering and self-declaring themselves as presidents in parallel ceremonies, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah had realized that for the sake of their own political survival, it was high time to reconcile their differences which encompassed mostly around their personal goals rather a profound difference in visions, and signed a power-sharing agreement on May 17, 2020. Under the deal, Ashraf Ghani will continue to be country's president, while Abdullah Abdullah will head the National Reconciliation High Council, authority to chart out the peace process with Taliban and other insurgents. The cabinet will have equal representations from both sides.
Jalalabad Bleeds Under IS Attack
While a three-day cease-fire between Afghan government and Taliban is holding well from July 31, 2020 to August 2, 2020 to observe Eid ul-Adha peacefully, the local affiliate of Islamic State is in no mood to brook such gesture, and they have carried out an audacious attack on a Jalalabad prison using a suicide car bomber and multiple gunmen, killing at least 3 people and wounding dozens. A Taliban spokesman denied any responsibility for August 2, 2020, Jalalabad attack as well as a separate July 30, 2020, suicide attack in Logar Province that had killed at least 9 people.
Prison Brought under Control After Hours-long Firefight
After hours-long fierce fighting, Afghan security forces were able to bring the Jalalabad prison attacked by a suicide car bomb accompanied by multiple gunmen on August 2, 2020. On August 3, 2020, the prison was under the control of authorities, but not before at least 39 people had been killed, including 10 attackers, and more than 400 prisoners loyal to local affiliate of Islamic State had been freed.
Assassination Attempt on VP's Life
An assassination was made through bombing targeting the convoy of Afghanistan's First Vice President Amrullah Saleh on September 9, 2020 during the rush morning commute hour in Kabul. At least several bodyguards and commuters were killed in the bombing, not claimed by anyone yet, but Saleh had escaped.
Trump
Administration Announces Afghan, Iraq Drawdown
Trump
administration’s new defense chief, Acting Secretary Christopher Miller, on
November 17, 2020 announced at a Pentagon conference president’s much touted
troops drawdown plan from Iraq and Afghanistan. Miller, who assumed the office
last week after his predecessor had been fired, said that “repositioning” of
the troops as part of “established plans and strategic objectives” would bring
the residual forces in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 for each nation. Although
this falls short of President Donald Trump’s initial promise to withdraw U.S.
troops altogether, the drawdown still marks significant for a lame-duck
president. According to Acting Secretary Christopher Miller, the
drawdown will be achieved by January 15, 2021, five days before the
incoming Biden administration takes charges. At present, there are 4,000
U.S. troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. Many
Republican leaders, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, sharply
criticized administration’s drawdown plan. In one of the sharpest rebukes, NATO
Secretary-General Jen Stoltenberg slammed Trump administration’s drawdown
plan as a possible recipe for extremist forces to exploit the vacuum in Iraq
and Afghanistan and use it as a “platform” to plan launching attacks on the
west.
IS
Attack Kills Eight
Close
to two-dozen mortars were fired at Kabul’s Green Zone on November 21, 2020
that had killed at least eight people and wounded 31. Kabul’s Green Zone
includes several high-value facilities and symbolic institutions such as
presidential palace, government buildings, U.S. Embassy and parliament. The
local franchise of Islamic State claimed responsibility for launching the
mortar attack. The attack, in which one mortar had hit the Iranian embassy, but
no injuries or death reported, came hours before U.S. Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo met with Afghan government and Taliban negotiators at Doha in
order to push the negotiation process. Pompeo also met with Taliban leader Abdul
Ghani Baradar, who had signed the peace agreement with the U.S.
More
than 30 Killed in Terrorist Attacks as Talks Continue in Doha
Amidst
continuing talks between Afghan government officials and Taliban negotiators in
Doha, Qatar, violence continued unabated as Trump administration was in
planning stage to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan by January
15, 2021. On November 29, 2020, two separate terrorist incidents
killed at least 34 people. A Humvee military vehicle rigged with
explosives hit an Afghan military base three miles outside the city of Ghazni,
killing 31 soldiers and wounding more than 24.
A
second terrorist attack during the day targeted the governor of southern Zabul
province as the convoy of Attajan Haqbayat came under roadside bomb
attack that had killed three people, including one of the governor’s
bodyguards, but the governor escaped with minor injuries.
Car
Bomb Kills 9, Injures M.P. and Close to Two Dozen People
A
car bomb in Kabul’s Khoshal Khan neighborhood on December 20, 2020
killed nine people and injured 20 others, including a member of parliament, Khan
Mohammad Wardak. Afghan Interior Minister Masoud Andarabi said that
Wardak was passing through the area in his car when the explosion took place
and he was convalescing at the hospital.
Afghan Interior Minister Warns against Hasty U.S. Pullout
Afghan Interior Minister Masoud Andarabi on March 13, 2021 issued a dire warning against a hasty U.S. retreat from Afghanistan as Taliban had yet to sever all ties with al-Qaeda and an untimely withdrawal of 2,500 U.S. forces, scheduled to leave the country by May 1, 2021 as part of the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord, could "certainly give an opportunity for those terrorists" and "threaten the world". Masoud Andarabi's warning from the secure Interior Ministry compound comes as Biden administration is reviewing the Trump administration's agreement with Taliban and in the backdrop of intensified attacks on Afghan National Security Forces, or ANSF.
Defense Secretary Calls for a "Responsible End" to the War
In his first visit to Afghanistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on March 21, 2021 said that Biden administration favored a "responsible end, a negotiated settlement to the war", but before that, the violence had to come down. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other officials at Kabul.
Bombing Near Girls' School Kills at least 30
In what may be in the horizon as the U.S. and NATO troops are preparing to leave the country in about four months, an explosion, or three explosions--depending on which versions and sources to believe in--near a girls' school in western Kabul on May 8, 2021 killed at least 30 people, most of them were girls in the age of 11 and 15. The attack took place around 4:30PM as girls were streaming out of the Syed Al-Shadha School in the Shiite-majority neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi. Neighborhood residents were so enraged by the lack of security from the government that they had screamed at the first responders who had arrived at the scene and many of the residents became physically confrontational with the first responders. Taliban condemned the attack and said that they didn't carry it out. However, President Ashraf Ghani pinned the blame on Taliban.
Death Toll near Girls' School Rises to 50; Relatives Bury the Loved Ones
The death toll from May 8, 2021, explosions near the Syed Al-Shadha School rose to 50 as of May 9, 2021, with 100 more wounded. Grieving relatives lay their beloved family members, most of them were girls between ages of 11 and 15, to rest. According to reports, three explosions happened in quick succession. So far, no groups have claimed responsibility for bombing.
The death toll rose to more than 90 as of May 16, 2021.
Three-day Eid Truce Held amidst Violence, Talks
As is the practice in recent years to have a short-lived truce to allow the Afghans to observe one of the holiest days in Islam, this year's Eid truce has been called to have guns fallen to silence between May 14, 2021 and May 16, 2021. Despite a truce, an explosion rocked a mosque in north of the capital on May 14, 2021 during Friday Eid prayer, killing at least a dozen and wounding an additional 15 people. The local IS affiliate took responsibility for the bombing that had killed 12 people, including a preacher whom the Islamic State called as an "apostate" preacher.
Meanwhile, Taliban negotiators met at Doha on May 15, 2021 with the government counterparts in an effort to jump-start the stalled peace negotiation.
More
than 1,000 Afghan Troops Flee Taliban Wrath
That
the security scenario in the post-U.S. withdrawal Afghanistan will be seriously
undermined has turned out to be partially true as more than 1,000 Afghan
soldiers have fled the northern Badakhshan Province to Tajikistan.
Tajik official news site Khovar said on July 5, 2021 that 1,037
Afghan military personnel had sought asylum in Tajikistan to “save
the lives” from Taliban wrath. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on late July
5, 2021 ordered mobilization of 20,000 reserve troops to protect the
border. The flight of 1,000+ soldiers marks the third such act of
desertion in recent days and fifth in two weeks as U.S. is set to withdraw all its
troops from Afghan soil weeks before September 11, 2021, deadline.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Taliban militants have made significant gains
in fully, or partially, controlling all but one districts of Badakhshan
Province, and its capital city, Faizabad, is teetering to the brink
as reinforcements of Afghan security forces have arrived on July 4, 2021,
night.
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Says about Taliban Momentum
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told press corps at a Pentagon press conference on July 21, 2021 that Taliban was having upper hands now amidst U.S. withdrawal of troops. Taliban now roughly controls half of 419 districts, according to Gen. Milley, and is pressuring almost 17 of 34 provincial capitals.
UNAMA Report Portrays a Dark Post-Withdrawal Future for Afghans
That the complete withdrawal of the U.S. troops from Afghanistan by August 31, 2021, barring some 650 soldiers to help maintain the security of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and the capital's international airport, has created a fertile ground of instability and increasing attacks on hard-earned rights of women, girls and minorities in Afghanistan is described and quantified, to a great extent, by a report compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The report was issued on July 26, 2021. According to the UNAMA report, at least 5,183 civilians were either killed or injured in the first half of 2021, a 47% increase compared to the same period in 2020. The report also states that women and girls are bearing the brunt of the attacks, almost doubling in each of the categories. UNAMA accounted almost 64% of the deaths and injuries in the first half of 2021 due to anti-government attacks such as those carried out by Taliban and Islamic State.
U.S, Afghan Airstrikes against Taliban Insurgents in Helmand
As U.S.-led coalition forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan, Taliban militants are intensifying attacks against ill-prepared Afghan security forces, making significant inroads and seizing territories at an alarming pace. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Taliban militants were at a stage of overrunning the Helmand provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, on late August 3, 2021, triggering a punishing series of airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and Afghan warplanes that stretched overnight into the morning of August 4, 2021. Afghan Defense Ministry said on August 4, 2021 that Taliban had suffered massive casualties and Lashkar Gah had been now under the provincial government control although the statement could not be independently verified.
************************** TALIBAN TAKEOVER OF AFGHANISTAN *************************
First Provincial Capital Falls to Taliban Control Since the U.S. Withdrawal
In a preview what awaits Afghanistan's fate, the first provincial capital fell to Taliban control on August 6, 2021 as government forces took off their uniform and fled Zaranj, the capital of southwestern Afghan province of Nimruz, to cross the border into Iran. The capture of Zaranj coincides with another ferocious Taliban attack on Helmand provincial capital of Lashkar Gah. Afghan Army's 215th Corps is responsible for security of both Zaranj and Lashkar Gah. On August 6, 2021, Nimruz Deputy Governor Rohullah Gul Khairzad acknowledged the fall of Zaranj. Meanwhile, Afghan army's 215th Corps is focused on battling against the Taliban to defend Lashkar Gah as 215th Corps' top commander, Gen. Sami Sadat, tweeted that his forces were waging a "defining battle" against Taliban in Lashkar Gah. On August 6, 2021, Taliban claimed the responsibility for assassination of Dawa Khan Menapal, head of oversight of local and foreign media, in the heart of Kabul hours ago.
Taliban Claims Responsibility for Attempt on Defense Minister's Life
Taliban on August 6, 2021 claimed the responsibility for carrying out a deadly August 3, 2021, night attack on the home of Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohamadi. The attack involved a car bomb and at least four gunmen with suicide vests. The defense minister remained unscathed, but eight people were killed and more than 20 injured. In an audacious gesture, Taliban justified the attack on Afghan defense minister's house, saying that the August 3, 2021, attack on the defense minister's home marked the "beginning of retaliatory operations against the core officials of the Kabul administration".
Taliban Makes Sweeping Advances; Now Controls, Partially or Fully, Four Capitals
Taliban fighters on August 8, 2021 swept through city square and heart of downtown of a key northern city, Kunduz, and hoisted its flag on the top of a police booth at the main artery of the city. Two Kunduz provincial council members--Ghulam Rabani Rabani and Mohammad Yusuf Ayubi--said separately that Taliban had now partial control over the city. Media report said that barring airport and military headquarters, Taliban had seized almost all of this city of 340,000. In the past week alone, Taliban had swept through four provincial capitals, taking one after another, and at least partially control all of them. Biden administration officials are in touch with the U.S. Embassy to review the fallout from the capture of Kunduz, but is sticking to its plan of full withdrawal by August 31, 2021.
Also on August 8, 2021, Taliban seized another neighboring northern provincial capital after weeks of concerted push. Taleqan, capital of Takhar province, fell on the same day as Taliban seized an overwhelming section of neighboring Kunduz province's capital. A member of the federal parliament, Sayed Sharafuddin Aini, said on August 8, 2021 that Taleqan had fallen to Taliban earlier in the day while a second MP, Nazifa Yousefi Beg, said that provincial governor, police chief and other officials were all on the run.
A day earlier, August 7, 2021, Taliban swept through the northern Jawzjan province's capital, Sheberghan, after sweeping through the nine of the 10 districts. Taliban has launched nationwide assault on dozens of capitals of Afghanistan's 34 provinces.
Two More Provincial Capitals Fall
Taliban march to an all round military victory across all 34 provincial capitals moves further towards reality at an astonishing pace as militia on August 9, 2021 captured Aybak, provincial capital of Samangan province in northern Afghanistan, and Sar e-Pul, capital of Sar e-Pul Province. Meanwhile, U.N. on August 9, 2021 warned the Taliban that military victory would not entail to recognition of Taliban-controlled government.
Taliban Take Three more Capitals, Bringing Two-third of the Country under Their Fold
Taliban fighters are making battleground gains at lightning speed, forcing tens of thousands of Afghans to flee from the north to seek refuge in Kabul. Taliban fighters on August 11, 2021 seized three more provincial capitals, bringing almost 67% of the country under their control. On August 11, 2021, capitals of Badakhshan, Baghlan and Farah fell one by one.
Biden Admin Sending 3,000 Troops to Kabul; Kandahar, Ghazni, Herat Fall in Quick Succession
As things in Afghanistan are spinning out of control by the day and it has become apparent that it's a matter of when, not if, Kabul will also fall to advancing Taliban, the key strategic focus of Biden administration is now partial evacuation of embassy staff and Afghans who have worked with the U.S. military. As part of that strategy, Biden administration on August 12, 2021 announced that it would send about 3,000 U.S. troops to Kabul airport to facilitate the evacuation process.
Meanwhile, on the battleground, Taliban militants are making quick gains by taking three additional provincial capitals: Kandahar, Ghazni and Herat. Kandahar was the birthplace of Taliban movement, and thus capture of the city marked a significant and symbolic victory for Taliban.
Taliban Closing in on Kabul; U.K., Canada Sending Troops
Taliban fighters consolidated their sweep through the southern heartland on August 13, 2021, taking the provincial capital of Helmand, Lashkar Gah, and reinforcing their presence in Herat and Kandahar. Taliban is now moving on to Kabul at a menacing speed. In Kandahar, the second-largest Afghan city and Taliban birthplace, Taliban now controls all of the city barring a military base and the airport. In Herat, third-largest city, the government officials made deals with Taliban. Also on August 13, 2021, largest number of provincial capitals fell to marauding Taliban on a single day: capitals of four provinces--Ghowr, Zabul, Logar and Uruzgan--in addition to Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy staff are destroying sensitive materials as per instruction from the U.S. government. Canada and U.K. are sending troops to evacuate their citizens, Denmark has temporarily suspended their embassy services, and Germany is keeping its embassy staffing level at the bare minimum. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on August 13, 2021 expressed that he was "deeply concerned" over Taliban's re-imposition of harsh tactics in parts of the country that they had seized in recent days.
Also, on August 13, 2021, the first of 3,000-strong troops has reached the Kabul airport to evacuate U.S. Embassy personnel and Afghan translators and other Afghans and their family members who had cooperated with U.S. forces over the years and now feared for their lives. The U.N. refugee agency said that 250,000 Afghans have fled their homes since late-May 2021 when Taliban has launched their nationwide assault. Out of 250,000 displaced since late-May 2021, 80% are women and children, according to the U.N. refugee agency. The agency also estimated that more than 400,000 people were displaced since the beginning of 2021.
Taliban Seizes the Fourth-largest City, Encircles Kabul; President Biden Orders More Troops for Evacuation
Taliban on August 14, 2021 seized the northern trading hub of Mazar-e-Sharif, the fourth-largest Afghan city and the capital of Balkh Province, amidst encircling the capital Kabul from all ends. The fall of Mazar-e-Sharif is significant as, in addition to Afghan national troops, which have proven to be crumbling at an astonishing speed leaving their U.S.-made military hardware and equipment behind as they have fled, northern warlords such as Atta Mohammad Noor and Abdul Rashid Dostum have held significant sway over the city with their fearsome militia groups. It seems that both the warlords have fled to Uzbekistan after their own militia groups have appeared to be in no position to resist the Taliban onslaught.
Meanwhile, the situation in Kabul is dire with city parks and streets are teeming with tens of thousands of displaced people who have fled their villages and towns. Taliban has encircled the city from all sides. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden on August 14, 2021 said in statement that he was sending 2,000 more troops--in addition to 3,000 ordered just days ago--to Kabul to facilitate "an orderly and safe drawdown of U.S. personnel and orderly and safe evacuation of Afghans who helped our troops during our mission".
Kabul Falls in a Matter of Hours
After spending hundreds of billions of dollars, sacrificing thousands of American lives and occupying a foreign land almost for two decades, U.S. seems to be returning from Afghanistan empty-handed and wrapping up a costly, but finally a failed, mission. On August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters marched toward presidential palace, and by the end of the day, Taliban had full control over Kabul and bearded insurgents, wielding guns, were seen roaming inside the presidential palace, a scene deeply anathema to the west and that sent a message of U.S. limitation of what it could do in terms of influencing the outcome in a foreign nation. Earlier in the day, Afghanistan's western-backed government's president, Ashraf Ghani, fled the nation for Tajikistan along with his family members and other government officials. Taliban also seized Jalalabad during the day, but its highest prize was the capture of Kabul. The way Afghanistan's national army surrendered or fled in the face of advancing Taliban raised many questions and the wisdom of spending hundreds of billions of dollars to build a military, only to melt away when they were required to put up a fight. One of the co-founders of the Taliban movement, Abdul Ghani Baradar, has emerged as the undisputed leader to lead the tattered nation. Baradar, head of the Taliban political bureau, struck a conciliatory tone in a video statement recorded in Doha.
On Sunday morning TV circuit in the U.S., many pundits began to call the fall of Kabul and the subsequent chaos as Biden's moment of Saigon, a throwback to the Vietnam War era. Images of thousands of Afghans massing in the runway of Kabul airport reflected a deep chaos in the aftermath of Taliban takeover and people's last-ditch try to get out of the country. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed "deep concern" over the turns of the events in Afghanistan, and asked Taliban to respect human rights. Meanwhile, anti-Taliban peace council that was negotiating with Taliban on a peace settlement transformed itself into a "coordination council". High Council for National Reconciliation chair Abdullah Abdullah said during the day that the "coordination council" would include former Mujahideen Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Former President Hamid Karzai among the key leaders. Hamid Karzai tweeted on August 15, 2021 that the purpose of the "coordination council" is to prevent chaos.
Meanwhile, U.S. Embassy personnel were evacuated to Kabul airport. U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson had left the sprawling U.S. Embassy Complex with the American flag. Pentagon meanwhile ordered an additional 1,000 troops to be deployed at Kabul airport, taking the strength of U.S. military forces ordered in recent days to 6,000.
Melee at Kabul Airport; Biden Addresses the Nation; U.N. Security Council Calls for End to the Violence
On the first full day of Taliban control of the capital, thousands of Afghan people on August 16, 2021 made mad rush to Kabul International Airport in desperate efforts to flee the country. Several hundred people ran alongside a U.S. plane that was about to take off, and many were seen clinging to the plane. The image of desperate Afghans swarming the plane underlined the failure of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan after staying there for almost two decades, spending trillions of dollars of taxpayers' money and sacrificing thousands of Americans' lives. At least seven people were dead on August 16, 2021 in the airport melee. Two of them might have died after falling from the landing gear of the U.S. Air force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III as it taxied. Pentagon and the State department issued a joint statement on late August 15, 2021, announcing the authorization of 6,000 troops in Afghanistan, and the Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on August 16, 2021 that 2,500 of them had already arrived at the Kabul Airport.
Addressing the nation on August 16, 2021 afternoon from the White House, President Joe Biden strongly defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and end the "forever war", saying that "I am president of United States of America, and the buck stops with me". Biden added: "I am deeply saddened by the facts we now face. But I do not regret my decision to end America's war fighting in Afghanistan."
U.N. Security Council met for an emergency session on August 16, 2021 and issued a statement afterward, calling for, among others, (1) "an end to the violence", (2) establishing a "united, inclusive and representative" government that should also include women, (3) "institutional continuity and adherence to Afghanistan's international obligations" and (4) a resolution to the current crisis "through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process".
Key Leaders of Taliban Movement
* Haibatullah Akhundzada: Supreme leader of Taliban, who had ascended to the power in 2016 after the group's former leader, Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, had been killed in a U.S. drone attack in Pakistan.
* Abdul Ghani Baradar: Taliban movement's top political leader who served prison term in Pakistan between 2010 and 2018. He was freed after U.S. requested Islamabad to release him so that he could lead the negotiating team at Doha.
Sirajuddin Haqqani: Son of Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of Haqqani network, leads the network and Taliban as its deputy leader.
Mohammad Yaqoob: Eldest son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar who died in 2013.
Resistance to Taliban Scattered, but Growing; Taliban's Harsh Crackdown; U.N. WFP Issues Warning
Many Afghans turned August 19, 2021, Afghanistan's Independence Day, as a cause celebre for displaying their will power and resistance against Taliban as common Afghans rallied in cities across the country with the Afghan national flags instead of Taliban flags. A large crowd walked through main artery of Kabul with a large Afghan flag to mark the Afghan Independence Day. In Nangarhar Province, Taliban used force to disperse an Independent Day-celebrating crowd. People also took to streets in Kunar and Khost Provinces. Taliban was reported to have clamped a 24-hour curfew in Khost after violent incidents. Meanwhile, U.N. World Food Program chief, Mary Ellen McGroarty, warned about the situation in Afghanistan: : "A humanitarian crisis of incredible proportions is unfolding before our eyes". The acute food shortage is pushing the prices of basic commodities beyond the means of common people. On political front, much of Europe is critical of Biden's hasty pullout from Afghanistan.
Pentagon Activates Program to Airlift from Waystations; Biden Addresses the Nation; 7 Killed in Kabul Airport
President Joe Biden on August 22, 2021 addressed the nation from the White House and assured that any American wanting to return from Afghanistan would get help from the U.S. government. Biden also said that U.S. was expanding the perimeter of security cordon around the airport to accommodate ever-swelling Afghans who wanted to flee the country. Biden said that since airlift operation was launched on August 14, 2021, about 28,000 people had been evacuated and the pace had picked up in the past 36 hours when about 11,000 people had been airlifted. The flights involved chartered and non-U.S. military airplanes as well as U.S. Air Force C-17 and C-130 transport planes. Earlier in the day, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on the CNN's State of the Union that the U.S. military had airlifted 3,900 people in the past 24 hours and another 3,900 people had been evacuated by the non-U.S. military flights.
As these airlifts are bringing tens of thousands of people to a third country either in Europe like Germany or Asia like Qatar and Bahrain, there are chokeholds forming at these interim, waystations where screenings for Afghans are being held. To relieve the chokeholds, Pentagon on August 22, 2021 activated the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, a program last activated during the Iraq War in 2003. The Defense Department said that six airlines would participate in the program that would be controlled by the military's Air Mobility Command, but the flights would be manned by civilian pilots and crews. Six participating airlines are American Airlines (3), United Airlines( 4) , Delta Airlines(3) , Hawaii Airlines (2), Atlas Air (3) and Omni Air (3). 18 commercial planes will not be flying to Kabul. In stead, they will serve the waystations to bring evacuees to the U.S.
Also, a melee broke out on August 22, 2021 as thousands of people had a mad rush at the airport in order to flee the country. Fire broke out, stampede ensued and fighting erupted, killing at least 7 people.
Biden Pushes back on Deadline Extension during G-7 Summit, Evacuations Pick up Speed
An an emergency virtual G-7 summit called to discuss the Afghan crisis, President Joe Biden on August 24, 2021 received pleas and powerful calls from America's allies to extend the U.S. troops deadline beyond the current August 31, 2021, date, but the president pushed back, reiterating that the U.S. mission would end on August 31, 2021. Meanwhile, amidst chaos, 21,600 Americans and at-risk Afghans were airlifted in the 24-hour window ending August 24, 2021. Biden reported that at least 70,700 people had been evacuated since the airlifting mission had begun on August 14, 2021. During the virtual special G-7 summit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Emmanuel Macron had pressed Biden to extend the deadline, but of no avail. Biden is facing growing pressure from America's allies abroad as well as lawmakers from both political parties to extend the deadline. Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse was even blunter as he asked the president to "damn the deadline" and make it clear to Taliban, al-Qaeda and ISIL-Khorasan that, if needed, to evacuate all Americans and U.S. allies, "we are perfectly willing to spill" terrorists' blood. On the other hand, Taliban warned the U.S. against any extension of the deadline.
Suicide Bombings Kill 13 U.S. Military Personnel, Dozens of Afghans
A pair of suicide bombings--one at the Abbey Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport and another at a nearby hotel, Baron Hotel, host to many westerners--on August 26, 2021 dealt a huge setback to U.S. efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of Americans and Afghans just days before the August 31, 2021, deadline for the U.S. troops withdrawal. The wails of innocent Afghans ricocheted throughout the areas on the southern side of the airport. 10 U.S. Marines, two U.S. soldiers and one Navy Corpsman were killed. This was the worst U.S. fatality since 2011. Dozens of Afghans were also killed. Tens of thousands of Afghans, in recent days, have massed at the periphery of the airport in the mad rush to flee the country, and American military is warning an imminent attack by ISIL-Khorasan. At least 15 U.S. service personnel were injured too. Later in the day, ISIL-K claimed responsibility for the attack on the airport.
President Joe Biden, addressing the nation from the East Room, vowed to "hunt you down and make you pay" for killing the "heroes who had been engaged in dangerous, selfless mission to save the lives of others". Despite the attack, President Biden stuck to the August 31, 2021, withdrawal timeline. Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., head of the CENTCOM, which is in charge of Afghan theater, has said after the attack that a suicide bomber has blown up at the Abbey Gate, a focal entry point for Afghans as well as westerners. State Department estimated late August 26, 2021 that about 1,000 U.S. citizens were still in the country and the department was in touch with most of them.
U.S.
Strikes back against ISIL
U.S.
Central Command,
which is in charge of Afghan operation, has on August 27, 2021 acknowledged
a drone strike against ISIL-K in eastern Afghanistan. One individual
responsible for planning attacks on the U.S. troops was reported to have been
killed in the drone strike. Meanwhile, the Afghan death toll from August 26,
2021, terrorist attack was pegged at 169. U.K. announced that two
adult citizens and one child were killed in the suicide bombing too. Pentagon
on August 27, 2021 clarified that there was only one bombing, instead of
initially reported two: a lone suicide bomber blew up at the Abbey Gate.
************************ MISTAKEN STRIKE BY U.S.
U.S. Strikes a Vehicle on its Way to Attack Airport Airlifting Operation; Biden Attends Dignified Transfers
A day after Biden administration issued a warning of a highly likely suicide bombing at Kabul airport gates, the U.S. Central Command announced on August 29, 2021 that a drone strike had killed would-be attackers in a vehicle. The drone strike was blamed for the deaths of children which a U.S. military spokesman, Navy Captain Bill Urban, said that military was investigating. Meanwhile, the Taliban has taken control over the three gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport. During the day, the U.S. State Department issued a statement signed by more than 100 countries, NATO and European Union that Taliban had given "assurances" that it would permit people to leave the country if they had proper paperwork. As Taliban is consolidating the grips over Afghanistan, reports emerged of summary executions and other oppressions from various parts of the country. A renowned folks singer, Fawad Andarabi, was shot dead by Taliban militants in the village of Andarabi, 60 miles north of Kabul.
On August 29, 2021, President Joe Biden and the First Lady Jill Biden flew to Dover Air Base in Delaware to attend "dignified transfers" of remains of U.S. service members killed three days ago in an ISIL-K suicide bombing.
CENTCOM Commander Acknowledges "Tragic Mistake"
Pentagon on September 17, 2021 dropped its defense of an August 29, 2021, airstrike purported to have targeted ISIL-K militants who, according to the U.S. intelligence, had been preparing for an impending attack on the Kabul Airport. The top commander of the Central Command, Gen. Frank McKenzie, on September 17, 2021 said candidly that it was a very "tragic mistake" and none of the 10 people--including seven children--killed were ISIL-K militants. The CENTCOM chief also said that military was considering for reparation payment to the family. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized to the family and confirmed that there was no association between the family of Zemerai Ahmadi and ISIL-K. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, who had earlier called the Hellfire missile strike as "righteous", said on September 17, 2021, now in Europe, that it was a "horrible" mistake of the war. The family worked for a U.S. humanitarian group and was trying to obtain U.S. visas as they feared for lives under the Taliban rule.
Investigation Rules out Negligence
An investigation into the August 29, 2021, mishap that killed a longtime U.S. aid worker found no criminal action or negligence on behalf of the Air Force. The inspector general of the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Sami D. Said, which had conducted the inquiry, releasing the report on November 3, 2021, pointed out the so called "confirmation bias" in terms of information gathering, providing the Air Force spheres of areas of improvement.
************************ MISTAKEN STRIKE BY U.S.
America's "Forever War" Ends
The last airlift from Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport happened at 3:29PM ET on August 30, 2021, or one minute before August 31, 2021, midnight local time, signifying the drawdown of America's longest war that had left behind a country in tatters, with broken dreams, shattered infrastructure and a militant force that had become only more potent and lethal than when US had invaded the country. America's final days of a massive evacuation endeavor was cloaked with chaos and a suicide bombing that had killed more than 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service personnel, many of them were barely older than the Afghan War itself. Central Command chief, Gen. Frank McKenzie, said that few American citizens, numbering in the "very low hundreds", had been left behind. President Joe Biden said that his commanders had unanimously supported ending, instead of extending, the airlift mission. Afghan War is an epitome of U.S. failure in pushing the "nation building" concept on a foreign land. According to Kennedy School in Harvard University and Brown University's Cost of War project:
* 2,461 U.S. service personnel were killed in the America's longest war
* 3,846 U.S. contractors were killed through April 2021
* 66,000 Afghan security forces were killed through April 2021
* 47,245 Afghan civilians were killed, through April 2021
* 1,144 Allied service members were killed
* 51,191 Taliban and other opposition fighters were killed, through April 2021
* $2 trillion debt-financed by the USA to fund Afghanistan and Iraq Wars
* $2 trillion estimated for continued medical care for roughly 4 million Iraq and Afghan War veterans
Biden
Defends His Handling of Troops Withdrawal, Evacuation Strategy
Refuting
sharp criticism of his handling of winding down the U.S. mission in
Afghanistan, President Joe Biden on August 31, 2021 forcefully said that
withdrawal of the last U.S. troops from the soil of Afghanistan barely 24 hours
ago and massive airlift operation to evacuate more than 120,000 Afghans,
Americans and other allies from the country marked the “extraordinary success”.
Addressing the nation from the White House State Dining Room hours after
the last C-17 cargo plane had left the Hamid Karzai International Airport,
Biden said that “I was not going to extend this forever war” and “I was not going
to extend a forever exit”. Biden forcefully defended his decision, pilloried by
political opponents and some allies alike, stating: “I take responsibility for
the decision”. Biden on August 30, 2021 issued a statement, reiterating
that his commanders had unanimously voiced their support for not extending the
airlift mission beyond August 31, 2021, withdrawal deadline and he had
instructed Secretary [of State] Blinken to work with allies to facilitate
evacuation of 100 to 200 Americans, still in Afghanistan, if they chose to
leave.
Meanwhile,
the last U.S. troop to leave Afghanistan, Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, may
become a lasting presence in the memory of how America’s longest war has ended,
with an iconic photo of him walking to board the last U.S. airlift plane minutes
before 11:59PM local time on August 30, 2021, with night-vision green
forming the backdrop, morphing into an instant hit across the world. Later August
31, 2021, Taliban militants and fighters rejoiced in airport tarmac and on
the streets of capital to mark a decisive victory.
Food May Run out in a Month's Time as Framework for New Coalition Discussed
That the post-occupation Afghanistan is facing dire food and other economic crisis can not be understated as the U.N. humanitarian chief for Afghanistan, Ramiz Alakbarov, said on September 1, 2021 that the food sent by the U.N. World Food Program would provide sufficient food only for the month of September 2021 and at least $200 million in additional food supplies were needed. Earlier, U.N. said that at least $1.3 billion of overall aid was needed, but only 39% had been procured. Many Afghans had formed long queues at banks and ATMs to withdraw cash, civil servants were not paid to the date and inflation was surging.
On the political front, a comprehensive discussion among Taliban, officials from the former administrations and other Afghan leaders on "forming an inclusive Afghan government" had "officially ended", Bilal Karimi, a key member of Taliban's cultural commission said on September 1, 2021. According to Karimi, Taliban supremo Haibatullah Akhundzada, will lead the coalition that will be formed in the coming days, with the influential Taliban contact with much of the rest of the world, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, running the day-to-day operation.
U.S. Hellfire Missile Kills not IS Militants, but a Worker of U.S. Aid Group and His Family Members
That the August 29, 2021, Hellfire missile from a drone had killed the would-be ISIS-K attackers turned out to be patently untrue. The person whose vehicle was targeted on August 29, 2021 was identified by the September 16, 2021, edition of The Dallas Morning News as Zemerai Ahmadi, who worked for a U.S. aid group, CA-based Nutrition & Educational International. In addition, seven children and two other adults were killed in that fateful August 29, 2021, drone strike.
************************** TALIBAN TAKEOVER OF AFGHANISTAN *************************
**************** POST-TALIBAN TAKEOVER ERA
Women's Protest March Squelched amidst Surprise Visit by Pak Intel Chief
For the second day in a row, dozens of women, mostly young college students, held demonstrations in front of the presidential palace on September 4, 2021, demanding that the women be treated with and accorded the equal rights. They placed wreath at the memorial of Afghan soldiers who were killed defending against Taliban onslaught. As soon as the women march reached near the presidential palace, Taliban security forces fired tear gas, forcing the demonstrators to flee. A day earlier, September 3, 2021, though, women's march ended peacefully. Earlier in the week, women marched in the western city of Herat.
On September 4, 2021, Gen. Faiez Hameed, the chief of Pakistan's intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, made a surprise visit to Kabul in what appeared to be a trip to leverage the agency's sway over the Taliban to influence different factions participating in the ongoing talks as part of forming a coalition government that would have friendly ties with Islamabad.
Four Americans Flee Afghanistan via Land Border
Four Americans fled the country via one of the six land borders, marking the first time that Americans had left the country since the U.S. had ended its mission on August 31, 2021. The Associated Press report on September 6, 2021 did not name the country where the Americans had fled to, only said that they were received by the U.S. embassy personnel. In a chaotic, but massive, August 2021 airlift operation, U.S. had evacuated at least 120,000 Americans and their allies such as translators, embassy personnel and their families and other Afghans who had worked for and with the U.S. military.
Also, on September 6, 2021, Taliban claimed to have seized eight districts of the lone holdout province of Panjshir.
Taliban's Cabinet Includes One from FBI's Most-Wanted List; Excludes Woman
Taliban on September 7, 2021 unveiled a cabinet that was filled by war-hardened figures and old-timers, but no women or any significant presence from the country's array of non-Pashtun groups. The interim prime minister will be Mullah Hassan Akhund, who has headed a previous Taliban government. His two deputies named are Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who has signed the agreement with the US last year, and Abdul Salam Hanafi, an ethnic Uzbek Taliban leader. The interior ministry has gone to Sirajjudin Haqqani, who has a bounty of $5 million as per FBI's most-wanted list, and is reported to be the brain behind his network's ruthlessness as well as kidnapping of an American contractor, Mark Frerichs, in January 2020. Frerichs is reported to be languishing in the captivity of Haqqani network. The new defense minister is Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar. The new foreign minister is Amir Khan Muttaqi. Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on September 7, 2021 that the appointments were all temporary. An accompanying statement issued by Taliban sought to dispel any fear that neighbors and international community had as the statement stressed that "Afghanistan's soil will not be used against the security of any other country".
Women Can Get Higher Ed under Taliban Rule, but Coed Will not Exist
The acting minister of higher education, Abdul Baqi Haqqani, said on September 12, 2021 that women would get the opportunity for higher education in colleges and Universities, but, in compliant with the Islamic Sharia law, the higher education would be taught in gender-partitioned environment.
Female Employees Ordered to Stay Home by Kabul's Taliban Mayor; Five Killed in Jalalabad
That the initial embrace for a more open society and allowing women to work and study, although under significant constraints, was a facade of a more tolerating regime than the Taliban's true intention was borne out on September 19, 2021 as Kabul's new mayor, Hamdullah Namony, ordered female employees to stay at home unless the jobs they were doing such as engineering and design could not be performed by a male employee. The order of the interim mayor of Kabul came two days after Taliban on September 17, 2021 replaced the "Women's Affairs Ministry" by "Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice" ministry.
Meanwhile, an explosion on September 19, 2021, second such attack in as many days, in Jalalabad killed five people.
Taliban
Vehicles Attacked in Eastern Afghanistan, Five Killed
Three
separate attacks in Jalalabad on September 22, 2021 killed five
people, including two Taliban fighters. In all three incidents, Taliban vehicles
were targeted. In one such incident, gunmen opened fire on a Taliban
vehicle at a Jalalabad gas station, killing one child, one gas station
employee and two Taliban fighters. In the second incident, a child had
been killed and two Taliban fighters have been injured in Jalalabad. A third
explosion in Jalalabad targeted a Taliban vehicle, injuring one person.
Although ISIL-K didn’t claim responsibility for September 22, 2021, trio
of attacks, they bore the hallmark of the militant group which was exploring to
find a foothold in the country and challenge Taliban.
Harsh Penalties Likely to Return
One of the founders of the Taliban movement, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, who was at the helms of affairs of the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice ministry during the last Taliban administration, on September 23, 2021 defended amputations and executions as part of punishment under the Islamic Sharia law, and added that they might return this time too.
Five People Killed in Explosion at a Kabul Mosque
In the first bomb blast targeting the Taliban in Kabul since the militant group's August 15, 2021, takeover of the Afghan capital, five people were killed on October 3, 2021 as a bomb exploded at the roadside near the entrance of Eid Gah Mosque while a memorial was being held at that time for the mother of Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
Worst Suicide Bombing since Taliban's Capture of Afghanistan Kills 46
Islamic State group on October 8, 2021 claimed that hours ago its lone suicide bomber blew up at a Kunduz mosque, Gozar-e-Sayed Abad Mosque, where a large group of people from the local Hazara community had assembled for Friday prayer. Local Taliban officials said that at least 46 people were killed and more than 143 people wounded in the suicide bombing. IS said that the suicide bomber was an Uygher who wanted to send a message that Taliban needed to persuade China, Taliban's potential benefactor, to stop oppressing Uygher people in China.
U.S. to Provide Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan
After the first direct U.S.-Taliban meeting since Washington's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban on October 10, 2021 issued a statement at Doha, venue of the direct talks, that the U.S. would provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, but would not recognize Taliban yet.
Mosque
Explosions in Kandahar Kill 47
A
week after an Islamic State-claimed suicide bombing killed 46 people
in northern Afghanistan, terrorism returned with vengeance in southern
Afghanistan on October 15, 2021, undermining the authority of Taliban in
its own birthplace. At least two suicide bombers blew up—one inside and another
outside, each carrying out two blasts—on October 15, 2021 as a Shiite,
mosque, Fatimiya Mosque, in Kandahar was teeming with Friday
worshippers. A Taliban official, Hafiz Sayeed, provincial minister of
culture and information, said afterwards that at least 47 people were killed in
the explosions, marking it the worst attack since Taliban came to power in
mid-August 2021. The Shiite Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt, a global religious
society, condemned the attack, and took issues with the Taliban authorities for
failing to provide security. Neighboring Pakistan also condemned the attack on
worship place.
Taliban Leader Offers Compensation to Families of Suicide Attackers
Taliban’s acting interior minister, Sirajjudin Haqqani, has done
what exactly should have been averted in order to persuade the international
community to send aid to Afghanistan. At a packed hotel in Kabul on October
18, 2021, he sent the wrong message to the west by honoring the families of
suicide attackers who had carried out campaigns against western forces and
Afghan army, calling them the “martyrs and fedayeen”. Haqqani also offered a
plot of land and 10,000 Afghanis, or roughly $112, to each family. The
Associated Press reported the event on October 19, 2021.
Tens of Thousands of Afghans Sent to Kosovo
The Associated Press reported on October 24, 2021 that about 66,000 Afghans had arrived at the U.S. since August 17, 2021 as part of the Operation Allies Welcome. They go through a comprehensive security screening before getting settled in the U.S. However, U.S. is silent about a small number of Afghans who have been sent to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. They have been flagged as security concerns for the U.S., and thus, sent to a U.S. military base in Pristina.
More
than 20 People Killed in Twin, Back-to-back Suicide Explosions, Gunfire
A
military hospital in Kabul turned into bloodbath on November 2, 2021 as
twin suicide bombings and gunmen opening fires between the explosions killed at
least 20 people, including civilians and Taliban security officials. No
group has yet taken responsibility for the audacious attack on a military
hospital in Kabul.
U.S. to Disburse $308 million in Afghan Aid; U.N. Launches Largest Aid
Package
Biden administration on January 11, 2022 announced that it would
give $308 million in emergency aid to Afghanistan as the country was rapidly
spiraling into a deep economic crater, with food prices having risen 10% to 20%
in recent months and, according to International Rescue Committee, children
in Khost and Herat provinces facing severe malnutrition. Biden
administration will funnel the money through the U.S. Agency for
International Development, and fund critical needs for suffering Afghans
such as supporting programs to provide food, medicine, hygiene services, winterization
services, water and sanitation.
Separately, U.N. on January 11, 2022 launched $4.4 billion
United Nations 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan, largest
humanitarian plan for a country.
Taliban’s First Diplomatic Foray in Europe to Seek Fund
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi became the first Taliban
official to set foot in Western Europe for negotiation aimed at securing foreign
help to face the dire challenges in the country stemming from the economic
collapse, widespread poverty and malnutrition. Amir Khan Muttaqi began the
three-day talks on January 23, 2022, involving sessions with Afghan human-rights
groups, Afghan Women-rights groups, Afghan diaspora in the western world, western
officials and other stakeholders. The talks, aimed at unfreezing the $10
billion now on hold by the west, are being held at a mountaintop venue overlooking
Oslo. Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed gratitude to Norway for
offering the “gateway for a positive relationship with Europe”. Given the grim
economic, social and political scenario in Afghanistan, U.N. has loosened the
restrictions on the country by measurable degree. U.S. Special Representative
[for Afghanistan] Tom West is leading a delegation to discuss, among other
things, “the formation of a representative political system; responses to the
urgent humanitarian and economic crises; security and counterterrorism concerns;
and human rights, especially the education of girls and women”, according to a
statement released by the U.S. State Department on January 23, 2022. Before
the January 23-25, 2022 Oslo Talks, Taliban officials traveled to
Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Qatar for political talks, but
never to the core of Europe, thus signifying a major thaw in relations between
the west and Afghanistan.
At least 100 Afghan Tied to Pre-Taliban Era Killed, U.N. Says
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report
that at least 100 people who had worked for the previous administrations
or with the western coalition had been killed by Taliban since the militants
had seized Kabul on August 15, 2021. The Associated Press got
access to the U.N. report on January 30, 2022. The report said that of
those, two-third had been the result of “extrajudicial killings”. Guterres also
pointed that the U.N. political mission in Afghanistan had obtained “credible
allegations” of extrajudicial killings of at least 50 suspected Islamic State-Khorasan
militants since Taliban’s ascendance to power.
Pentagon Inquiry Finds only a Single Explosion
A Pentagon inquiry into August 26, 2021, suicide attack near the Abbey
Gate of the Kabul International Airport that had killed 13 U.S. soldiers
and more than 170 Afghans was made public on February 4, 2022.
In the aftermath of the attack, blamed on the Islamic State-Khorasan, American
military, including Marine General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, commented
publicly that the attack might have involved a pair of suicide bombs followed
by opening of fire by the militants. The investigation disputes that very
narrative. The inquiry says a single, powerful bomb blast that had killed 13
U.S. soldiers and more than 170 Afghans as the U.S. was rushing to evacuate
thousands of Afghans who had helped the U.S. coalition before Taliban had
seized the powers in Kabul on August 15, 2021. Responding to the inquiry
report, General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie acknowledged that he had made
erroneous statement hours after the attack, but added that the investigators
had approached the inquiry with an open mind without any interference and it also
proved that “battlefield is a confusing and contradictory place”".
Biden Divvies up the Frozen Afghan Fund to Compensate 9/11 Victim
Families
On February 11, 2022, President Joe Biden signed an executive
order that would unfreeze about $7 billion in Afghan funds now held in
various U.S. financial institutions, consolidate them and subsequently divide into
two funds—(1) $3.5 billion in Afghan aid and (2) $3.5 billion to
compensate the families of 9/11 victims. In August 2021 after Taliban
seized powers in Afghanistan, U.S. froze $9.5 billion in foreign banks
and financial institutions, including $7 billion in the U.S. and the
remainder $2.5 billion in U.K., Germany, Switzerland and the United Arab
Emirates. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed last
month to western nations to suspend prohibitions and other sanction measures against
the Taliban as the country was “hanging by the thread” and Afghans needed help
right away. In the executive order, President Biden leveraged a provision of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act to “direct and compel” the
foreign assets into a segregated account that would then be used to divide the
pot into $3.5 billion in Afghan assistance and $3.5 billion to
compensate the families of the 9/11 victims. It’s not clear whether Biden
administration’s decision to compensate will end the ongoing litigation filed
by the 9/11 victims’ families.
Taliban Releases Two Foreign Journalists, Several Afghan Employees of
UNHCR
On February 11, 2022, Taliban freed two foreign journalists and
several Afghan employees of the U.N. human rights agency. Both journalists were
embedded with UNHCR when they were detained. Taliban’s deputy minister
of culture and information, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that the journalists
were arrested because they did not have proper documentation showing that they
were working with UNHCR. One of the foreign journalists is Andrew
North, a former BBC journalist, who has worked extensively on Afghanistan.
Protest Held against Decision to Pay $3.5 billion in Afghan Money to 9/11
Victims’ Families
Afghans from all walks of life on February 12, 2022 held demonstration
at Kabul to decry Biden administration’s decision a day earlier to unfreeze $7
billion in Afghan assets in various U.S. financial institution and use $3.5
billion of the consolidated fund to compensate families of 9/11 victims.
Taliban Scraps Earlier Plan to Allow Girls to Attend Seventh and Higher
Grades
In a sudden
announcement on March 23, 2022, Taliban revoked the plan for girls above
the sixth grade to return to schools.
U.N. Launches Biggest Aid Pledge Drive for Afghanistan
Launching a virtual conference to raise money for Afghanistan, U.N.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 31, 2022 called on the wealthier
nations to pony up for the largest fund raising effort in the U.N. history for
a single nation: $4.4 billion.
At
least 10 Killed in Mosque Explosion
In
the second successive Friday attack on a mosque, an explosion at the Khalifa
Aga Gul Jaan Mosque in the eastern Kabul on April 29, 2022 killed at
least 10 people and wounded more than two dozen. The explosion hit the
Sunni-dominated mosque during a time when it was teeming with devout on the
last Friday of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The explosion came a week after a
bomb attack on a Shiite mosque and an adjacent religious school in Mazar-e-Sharif
had killed 33 people.
Taliban
Orders Women to Cover head to Toe
Taliban
government on May 7, 2022 ordered the country’s women to cover with veil
when they went out of home.
Taliban Orders Females on the Live TV to Cover Face
Taliban’s Virtue and Vice Ministry and Information and Culture Ministry on May
19, 2022 sent instructions to the country’s TV operators, ordering the
female presenters to cover their face, striking another blow to the personal
freedom of women.
Earthquake Kills about 1,000
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake in the rugged terrain of eastern
Afghanistan compounded an already miserable situation in this impoverished
nation that had been cut off from the international aid since Taliban usurped
into powers in August 2021. In the early hours of June 22, 2022,
the earthquake inflicted devastating damage to a wide swath of areas in Gayan
district in Paktika province. By the day’s end on June 22, 2022,
at least 1,000 people were reported killed in the quake and an additional 1,500
were wounded. In a reversal of past practices, Taliban’s supreme leader,
Haibatullah Akhundzadah, appealed western nations to come forward to help
his country.
Afghans Bury Their Dead
In the remote Gayan district in Paktika province, lives looked
forlorn on June 23, 2022 with inadequate relief, no meaningful aid and absence
of government machinery compounding the woes of impoverished villagers a day
after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake had reportedly killed about 1,000
people. The early morning June 22, 2022, earthquake pulverized huts and
other unstable structures in the remote mountainous areas near the Pakistan
border. On June 23, 2022, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs said that around 770 people were killed in the earthquake. On June
23, 2022, Afghan families buried their loved ones as rescue operation was
going at snail’s pace.
Al-Qaeda Leader Killed in U.S. Drone Strike
Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a CIA drone strike at a posh
Kabul neighborhood, U.S. President Joe Biden told the American people in
a primetime address on August 1, 2022. Infected with COVID-19, President
Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House balcony in a resolute
voice, saying that “justice has been delivered” and “this terrorist leader is
no more”. CIA’s unmanned drone carried out the strike with two hellfire missiles
at 8:48PM Dallas time on July 30, 2022 as Ayman al-Zawahiri
stepped out on the balcony of a safe house in Shirpur neighborhood in
Kabul.
First Prisoner Swap after Taliban Sweep in Afghanistan
Biden administration on September 19, 2022 carried out an
efficient prisoner swap plan that had led to a U.S. defense contractor, Mark
Frerichs, to be released in exchange for the freedom of a well-known Taliban
narcotics trade-tied leader—Bashir Noorzai—who had been languishing in
U.S. jail since 2005. Mark Frerichs was kidnapped on January 31, 2020 after he was lured to Khost.
52 People Reported Killed in Kabul
On September 30, 2022, a suicide bombing has targeted a college
entrance practice test facility at a neighborhood in Kabul where most of the
people are of Hazara sect. Hundreds of recent high school graduates were taking
the practice test at the Kaaj Higher Educational Center when the blast
took place. Initially around two dozen were reported killed. On October 3,
2022, authorities upped the estimate of the death toll to 52.
Taliban Bans Women’s University Study
Taliban on December 20, 2022 banned women from attending the
universities.
Four NGOs Announce Suspension of Services in Afghanistan
A day after ruling Taliban banned women from working for charities over
their dress codes, four non-governmental organizations—Save the Children,
CARE, Norwegian Refugee Council, and International Rescue Committee—announced
on December 25, 2022 that they would suspend their work in Afghanistan
as it would be difficult to reach suffering people, especially women, without
adequately staffed by Afghan female workers.
U.N. Human Rights Chief Decries Taliban War on Women
The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Turk, said at Geneva on December
27, 2022 that banning women from NGO work or getting a university education
would not only increase the sufferings of Afghans, but would “pose a risk beyond
Afghanistan’s borders".
Taliban’s Latest Ban on Women from Restaurants with Gardens in Herat
In a deepening trouble, Taliban on April 10, 2023 banned women
and families from gathering in restaurants with green spaces or gardens in the
northwestern province of Herat as those places gave opportunities for the
so called “gender mixing”. The latest ban piles on other bans instituted since Taliban’s
seizure of power in August 2021 such as ban on girls’ schooling beyond sixth
grade, prohibition of women from gyms and parks, ban on women’s advanced education
at colleges and universities, proscription of women working at the U.N.-sponsored
agencies.
Negotiation with Taliban to Resume Women Working for the U.N.
U.N. officials are negotiating with the Taliban to let the Afghan women
working for U.N. Development Program. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner
said on April 18, 2023 that, barring Afghan women being allowed to work, the
agency might have to withdraw from Afghanistan.
French-Afghan Journalist Released by Taliban
An Afghan court released journalist Mortaza Behboudi who had been
detained on January 7, 2023, two days after his arrival to cover Afghan
stories, and charged on several counts, including espionage, Reporters
Without Borders said on October 18, 2023. The freed journalist is en
route to Paris to get reunited with his wife, Alexandra.
U.N. Special Envoy Warns against Continuous Deprivation of Women from Ed
The U.N. special envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, said
last week that the September 2021 diktat barring girls from attending
schools beyond the sixth grade and in December 2022 extending the ban on female
students attending colleges and universities had disastrous effect as girls
were falling behind every day, according to the December 26, 2023,
edition of The Dallas Morning News.
Former Top Commanders Blame Biden Admin for Chaotic Afghan Evacuation
Appearing before the House Foreign Relations Committee on March 19,
2024, the top two U.S. commanders during the hasty Afghan withdrawal blamed
Biden administration for the chaotic evacuation and haphazard airlifting of 130,000
people in the waning days of the U.S. presence in the country. Biden
administration blamed Former President Donald Trump for agreeing with
Taliban on a withdrawal deal that had constrained the administration. However, Former
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Former
CENTCOM head Gen. Frank McKenzie gave a different portrayal of the chaotic
Afghan scenario. They called out Biden’s rejection of a proposal for a residual
force of 2,500 U.S. military personnel (Biden ordered only 650 troops stationed
at the Embassy to protect diplomatic corps and other emergency personnel) and finger-pointed
at the State Department’s delay of charting out an evacuation plan in time as the
two major factors that had contributed to the utter chaos and unnecessary loss
of lives, including the killing of 13 U.S. military personnel in suicide
bombing at the Abbey Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport on August
26, 2021.
ASEAN (ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS)
ASEAN SUMMIT 2019 (NONTHABURI, THAILAND) (NOVEMEBER 2-4, 2019)
Malaysia's Mahathir Calls for Strengthening ASEAN
Addressing the summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations at Nonthaburi, Thailand, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad on November 2, 2019 urged the leaders to leverage the economic opportunity of a market catering 650 million people and raise against trade protectionism with "one voice". Mahathir, looking energetic at the age of 94, took a dig at U.S. President Donald Trump for his "America First" policy, a veil for global protectionism. This year's summit presents a unique opportunity to solidifying a trade bond between 10-nation ASEAN and a six-nation group led by China to form a formidable trade alliance, dubbed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. After years of talks, RCEP looks to be in a crystallized, definitive state that will integrate the markets of 16 nations.
ASEAN SUMMIT 2022 (PHONM PENH)
ASEAN Summit: Biden Pledges to Deepen the Bond, ASEAN-Ukraine Agreement
Signed
This year’s 10-nation ASEAN summit at Phnom Penh is
notable for many reasons. It’s Joe Biden’s third time attending the
summit, and he didn’t forget to mention that during his address on November
12, 2022 to the leaders of Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei. Although Myanmar is part of Association
of Southeast Asian Nations, it was shunned by the rest of the bloc for its
defiance of the international demand to restore democracy and political
freedom. President Joe Biden added that the 10-nation bloc of 700
million people was “at the heart of my administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy”.
Another landmark event of this year’s summit is to invite Ukraine as a special
guest and sign an agreement with Kyiv. This is all the more remarkable as many
of the nations in the ASEAN bloc are China-leaning and mostly stayed above the
fray in Ukrainian conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba,
who signed the peace agreement at Phnom Penh on November 12, 2022, told
reporters on the sidelines of the summit that Russia should stop playing the “hunger
game” and cooperate with other stakeholders to facilitate the flow of grains
and fertilizers to the rest of the world as well as extend the grain export
agreement beyond the current timeline of November 19, 2022.
Japan, ASEAN Meeting Vows a New Push to Firm up Relations
Leaders from ASEAN and Japan issued a joint communique on December
17, 2023 after a meeting in Tokyo where common themes focused on China,
trade between Japan and 10-nation bloc of developing nations, unified approach
to tackle climate change and embracing green energy. The communique affirmed the
“shared view to promote a rules-based Indo-Pacific region".
ASIAN-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)
***************************** SAN FRANCISCO SUMMIT 2023
Finance Chiefs to Meet Days before Xi-Biden Summit on the APEC Sidelines
To pave the way for a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and
US President Joe Biden at San Francisco next week on the sidelines of Asian-Pacific
Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit next week, U.S. Treasury
Secretary Janet Yellen is meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at
the Washington D.C. Their two-day meeting began on November 9, 2023 on
a high note, but with little expectation. Prior to the meeting of the treasury
chiefs, state-owned China Central Television alleged U.S. policies
discriminatory, pointing out that “more than 1,300 Chinese companies are being
sanctioned by the U.S.”, which had made it very difficult for them “to raise
funds and operate in the U.S.”, punitive tariffs are continuing to be imposed
on Chinese imports and export control on technology product needed by Chinese
tech companies.
Biden’s Trade Agenda Facing Headwind from Democratic Allies
Biden administration is assiduously working on a template for a trade
deal binding dozens of Pacific Rim nations as a counterbalance to China. President
Joe Biden is to unveil the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity, or IPEF, during the APEC summit in San
Francisco this week, according to the Monday November 13, 2023,
edition of The Dallas Morning News. There are four pillars of the
potential trade agreement: (1) Pillar One calls for standardized trade
regime binding the signatories, (2) Pillar Two deals with global supply
chain, (3) Pillar Three pertains to Climate infrastructure, and (4) Pillar
Four addresses tax evasion. The second, third and fourth pillars are
aspirational, but the first pillar contains provisions which are binding. It’s
the Pillar One that has invited strong criticism and denunciation from
Democrats and labor rights groups for lacking enforceable labor standards. They
fear that Republican front-runner Donald Trump will use the same playbook that
he has successfully leveraged in 2016.
U.S., China to Work on Climate Change
Hours before a meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi
Jinping on the sidelines of APEC summit at San Francisco, U.S. and
China issued a joint statement on November 14, 2023 in the U.S. and on November
15, 2023 in Beijing that called for collaborating with each other to
address climate change issues days before opening a key climate conference at
Dubai. The statement included methane and other greenhouse gases to be
addressed in addition to carbon dioxide. Addition of methane, which China is
the biggest emitter of, as part of overall mitigation is a welcome news for the
environmentalists.
APEC: Biden Calls for Partnership among APEC Nations
Addressing the leaders and CEOs at the APEC summit in San Francisco on November
16, 2023, President Joe Biden emphasized on “de-risking and diversifying”
the regional economy from Beijing’s influence. However, Biden ruled out “decoupling”
from Chinese economy and security cadence. Fresh from the meeting with President
Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit a day earlier, President
Joe Biden focused on the positives in the trade relationship between the
U.S. and APEC: APEC invested $1.7 trillion in the U.S. economy, supporting
some 2.3 million jobs, while the American companies invested $1.4
trillion in the 21-nation trade bloc.
***************************** SAN FRANCISCO SUMMIT 2023
BANGLADESH
Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize Winner Gets Jail Term for Violating Labor
Laws
Bangladesh’s Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus on January 1,
2024 received six-month
jail sentence for violating the country’s labor laws. Yunus has 30 days to
appeal the verdict.
CAMBODIA
China Agrees to Give $272 million in Grant Aid to Cambodia
That their animosity stemming from the Khmer Rouge regime has been now a distant past is proven one more time as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on September 12, 2021 has acknowledged China's nod to $272 million in grant aid to Phnom Penh. The premier's announcement during a high-profile visit by China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, marked what Yi had called the deepening bond between China and Cambodia as the one that's "steadier than iron and stronger than steel". Wang Yi met Prime Minister Hun Sen and Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhohn. China is the largest foreign investor in Cambodia.
Khmer Rouge Tribunal Wraps up after 16 Years, $337 million, but with
only Three Convictions
The international tribunal formed 16 years ago to bring closure to families
of an estimated 1.7 million people who had perished under the oppressive Khmer
Rouge regime (1975-79) had cost $337 million. However, at the end, it
convicted only three defendants: Khieu Samphan, Nuon Chea, who had died in
2019, and Kaing Guek Eav, who had been convicted in 2010 and died in 2020.
On September 22, 2022, the tribunal wrapped up with its final work after
rejecting the clemency appeal from Khieu Samphan.
CHINA
Provincial Government Deletes Data, Document
After last month's publication of related internal document and speeches by The New York Times, China's far-west Xinjiang province's government has begun tightening control over data, document and other information, according to The Association Press. The Associated Press reported on December 14, 2019 that the regional government and Urumqi Communist Party chief, Xu Hairong, had begun to implement internal controls on information flow, including how tens of thousands of Muslim Uighur people had been detained in training camps and brainwashed to become integral part of Chinese society and loyal to the tenets of CPC. According to the report, local officials began destroying related data and document, and tightening on information sharing after the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists had put focus on investigating into the detention camps. Urumqi Communist Party chief, Xu Hairong, called the reports compiled by the western journalists as "malicious smears and distortions". Earlier this month, U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure, Uighur Human Rights Policy Act, that denounces Chinese policy of crackdown in Uighur. China criticized the measure as meddling in the affairs of a sovereign country.
China Takes away Press Credentials from Journalists of Three American Outlets
Days after U.S. State Department labeled five Chinese media companies, including Xinhua, "foreign missions", making all of their U.S.-based employees to require special credentials, Chinese authorities on March 17, 2020 announced that all the American reporters tied to three U.S. media companies--The New York Times, The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal--would lose their journalist credentials and have to leave the country in 10 days. The tit-for-tat measure is the latest sign in worsening Sino-U.S. relations in the midst of a low trust between the nations over novel coronavirus.
Beijing-Washington Relations in a Tailspin
Days after Trump administration ratcheted up pressure on China by imposing sanctions, including travel ban, on four Communist Party officials in Xinjiang Province for perpetration and detainment of millions of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities, China on July 13, 2020 hit back with equal vengeance, targeting four top-ranking Republican Party officials for sanctions. The four Republican leaders include Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, Rep. Chris Smith of N.J. and Sam Brownback, Trump's representative for religious freedom.
********************** HUAWEI CFO'S ARREST BY CANADA ********************
Huawei CFO Detained at Vancouver
The same day Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping signed a 90-day trade truce at the G-20 summit at Buenos Aires, the CFO of the Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, was detained at Vancouver over a U.S. arrest warrant for skirting the Iran sanctions. Meng's December 1, 2018, arrest during layover at Vancouver en route to Mexico from Hong Kong opened another front of political and trade tension between world's two strongest economic powers and sucked Canada deep into controversy.
Prosecutor Asks Judge to Deny Bail to Meng
A prosecutor on behalf of Canadian authority on December 7, 2018 urged a judge to deny bail to Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, who had been arrested during her layover at Vancouver as she was en route to Mexico. John Gibbs-Carsley told a Vancouver judge that Meng was a flight-risk and she had the wherewithal to flee Canada. John Gibbs-Carsley, the Canadian prosecutor, told the judge that Meng was aware of the U.S. arrest warrant that had been issued on August 22, 2018 at New York City, and she had been avoiding U.S. since then although her teenage son went to school in Boston. Meng Wanzhou was accused of lying to U.S. financial institutions in 2013 that Huawei had nothing to do with Hong Kong-based former subsidiary Skycom that it had sold in 2009. At the time Meng misled the U.S. financial institutions, Skycom was violating the U.S. sanctions on Iran by selling the U.S.-manufactured gears to Teheran. Meng's lawyer, David Martin, dismissed the prosecution argument, saying that Meng was an honorable business executive and she would put two of her Vancouver homes as collateral in addition to wearing an electronic anklet.
Huawei Executive Granted Bail
After three days of hearings, a British-Columbia judge on December 11, 2018 granted bail to Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in lieu of $10 million Canadian, requiring her to wear an ankle bracelet, surrendering her passport, confining her movement to Vancouver and surrounding areas and ordering her to stay overnight from 11PM to 6AM at one of her two Vancouver homes. Upon hearing her bail, a strong crowd of her supporters from the Vancouver's Chinese community erupted in applause. At the courthouse, her husband, Liu Xiaozong, was also present.
China Detains a Former Canadian Diplomat
In what could be a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China on December 11, 2018 morning took a former Canadian diplomat, Michael Kovrig, to custody. Michael Kovrig has been a Canadian diplomat to China, Hong Kong and the U.N., and has gone to China as part of his current work as a North East Asia adviser for the International Crisis Group.
A Second Canadian Taken to Custody
A day after former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig's detention, a second Canadian, Michael Spavor, was detained by Chinese authorities on December 12, 2018 on charges of "activities that jeopardize China's national security". Michael Spavor runs a North Korea cultural exchange program. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed deep concern over the detention of two Canadians in a span of 24 hours.
Kovrig's, Spavor's Cases Handled Separately, China Says
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on December 13, 2018 that Michael Kovrig's case was being handled by Beijing bureau of the country's national intelligence agency while the case of Michael Spavor was being handled by the agency's local bureau in the city of Dandong, where Spavor was detained.
A Third Canadian Arrested Released and Returned Home
As the political theatrics and troubles hobbled the Sino-Canadian relations over the arrest of a Huawei executive on an American arrest warrant, Canadian government spokesman Richard Walker said on December 28, 2018 that Sarah McIver, an Albertan teacher, who had been recently arrested in China over security related issues tied to her teaching job, had been subsequently released by Chinese authorities and McIver was already back in Canada.
Canada Worried about Death Sentence Imposed by China on One of Its Citizens
Canadian premier, Justin Trudeau, on January 14, 2019 expressed dismay, "extreme concern" and worry over the renewed sentencing imposed on a jailed Canadian by a Chinese court. The defendant, a 36-year-old Canadian citizen, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, was detained in 2014 by Chinese authorities for smuggling methamphetamine, and later sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment. The case went unnoticed for the most part until a Chinese court had re-opened the case days after a Huawei executive had been arrested in Vancouver on an American arrest warrant, precipitating a political crisis between Ottawa and Beijing, and resentenced Schellenberg to death. Many see the re-opening the case and re-sentencing Schellenberg to death a political move to settle score with Ottawa.
Two Canadians Charges on Spying
Two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on June 19, 2020 were charged on spying by Chinese authorities. While Michael Kovrig was charged in Beijing, Spavor was charged in Dandong, near the border with North Korea, with similar counts related to state secrets. Many diplomats think this as the latest strategy of Beijing to put pressure on Justin Trudeau administration to free Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, who is fighting extradition to the US.
********************** HUAWEI CFO'S ARREST BY CANADA ********************
China's Consulate in Houston Ordered to Close
U.S. State Department on July 22, 2020 ordered China's Consular Office in Houston to close within 72 hours as Trump administration mounted political and diplomatic fight against Beijing in an unprecedented manner over trade, coronavirus and intellectual property theft. The consulate has been accused by the state department of trying to steal intellectual properties from Texas A-and-M University Medical Center and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The State Department's order came a day after U.S. Department of Justice indicted two Chinese nationals on July 21, 2020 on charges related to hacking of the U.S. pharmaceutical companies. Reacting to U.S. action, Chinese foreign ministry threatened to take unspecified retaliatory actions.
China Dubs U.S. Accusation a "Malicious Slander"
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said on July 23, 2020 that U.S. accusation that personnel in Chinese consulate in Houston, first consular service opened in the U.S. after normalization of U.S.-Chinese relations in 1979, had engaged in efforts related intellectual property and data theft from Texas institutions was a "completely malicious slander".
China Orders U.S. Consulate to be Closed
In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China on July 24, 2020 ordered the U.S. consulate in Chengdu in western China to be shut down. As China announced diplomatic retaliation, U.S. State Department during the day issued a notice, warning Americans in China of "heightened risk of arbitrary detention".
U.S. Ramps up Pressure on China as Election Nears
As the RNC is underway, the U.S. State Department on August 26, 2020 has imposed travel and other ban on unspecified number of Chinese military officials for their complicit and outrageous wrongdoing and encroachment in South China Sea, including "large-scale reclamation" of the maritime region.
China Dubs U.S. Accusation a "Malicious Slander"
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said on July 23, 2020 that U.S. accusation that personnel in Chinese consulate in Houston, first consular service opened in the U.S. after normalization of U.S.-Chinese relations in 1979, had engaged in efforts related intellectual property and data theft from Texas institutions was a "completely malicious slander".
China Orders U.S. Consulate to be Closed
In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China on July 24, 2020 ordered the U.S. consulate in Chengdu in western China to be shut down. As China announced diplomatic retaliation, U.S. State Department during the day issued a notice, warning Americans in China of "heightened risk of arbitrary detention".
U.S. Ramps up Pressure on China as Election Nears
As the RNC is underway, the U.S. State Department on August 26, 2020 has imposed travel and other ban on unspecified number of Chinese military officials for their complicit and outrageous wrongdoing and encroachment in South China Sea, including "large-scale reclamation" of the maritime region.
U.S.
Expands Scale of Chinese Media Companies for Restrictions
On October
21, 2020, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added six more Chinese
media companies to the list of so called “foreign missions”, requiring
the companies to identify their employees. The media companies added include Yicai
Global, Jiefang Daily, Xinmin Evening News, Social Sciences in
China Press, Beijing Revive and Economic Daily. Pompeo called
the companies as significantly “owned or controlled by a foreign government”. As of October 21, 2020, U.S. included a
total of 15 Chinese media companies as part of “foreign missions”. The other
nine companies which have been put under this designation are Xinhua News
Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, China Daily
Distribution Corporation, Hai Tian Development USA, China Central Television, China
News Service, People’s Daily and Global Times.
China
Does Tit-for-Tat, Orders Six Media Companies to Share More Information
Responding
to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s October 21, 2020, action to
order six Chinese media companies working in the U.S. to register as foreign
missions and share their employees’ locations, responsibilities and other
information with authorities, Chinese Foreign Ministry on October 26, 2020
issued a statement, calling on six U.S. media companies working in China—ABC,
The Los Angeles Times, Minnesota Public Radio, Feature Story News, the
Bureau of National Affairs and Newsweek—to share information of China-based
employees with the local authorities.
Chinese Freelancer Journalist Sentenced for Four Years
A Chinese freelancer journalist who went to Wuhan in February 2020 to uncover government response to Coronavirus pandemic in the city, including massive cover-up, strict lockdowns, sharing very little information and suppressing voice of dissention, in the aftermath of its eruption was on December 28, 2020 handed out a four-year imprisonment on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". Zhang Zhan has been arrested in May 2020. She was one of the first sources of China's Coronavirus-related information to the outside world.
Pompeo Declares China's Xinxiang Policy "Genocide" and "Crimes against Humanity"
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the eleventh hour of the Trump administration blasted the policies pursued by People's Republic of China, "under the direction and control of Chinese Communist Party", against Muslim Uyghur population in Xinjiang. Pompeo issued a statement on January 19, 2021, determining that Chinese government had committed "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" against Uyghur people in Xinjiang province.
China Unveils 14th Five-Year Plan, Federal Legislature Opens
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on March 5, 2021 inaugurated the country's powerful parliament to seek approval for Chinese Communist Party's multi-pronged objectives to become the most powerful and influential nation on the planet, rivaling the U.S. in the coming decade. During the day, the Chinese government unveiled the country's 14th Five-Year Plan, with a clear focus on what Li called the "self-improvement and self-reliance" in seven cutting-edge fields, including Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor and Biotechnology. Li has focused on innovation and research that will help China accelerate its economic growth and transform, many experts believe, the Chinese economy into largest in the world by 2028, overtaking the U.S. economy. Beijing also foresees Hong Kong as more tightly aligned with the Main Land and, as part of that effort, Beijing will strive for purging any apparent dissent from the representative bodies of the city-island government. Addressing the core political system that remains the founding stone of the state, Prime Minister Li Keqiang told the lawmakers that the country was on the path of "a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects".
************************************ U.S.-CHINA DIALOGUE *******************************
First Official Talks between Biden Admin Officials and China on a Rocky Start
That the U.S. President Joe Biden needs more time to find a pivot to reconfigure the U.S.-China bilateral relation has become amply clear as a two-day China-U.S. talks concluded on March 19, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska, with no conclusive, unified plan of action, but after a series of diplomatic diatribes. On the U.S. side, Biden's two trusted international expertise--U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan--highlighted China's discriminatory policies towards Uighurs, heavy-handed approach towards Taiwan and efforts to "threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability". The head of Chinese delegation, Yang Jiechi, CPC foreign policy chief, launched a long rebuttal.
American Official to Visit China
That the relationship between the U.S. and China has snowballed to a new nadir has reflected in itself when the foreign trip of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman was initially announced without China as part of the itinerary, only to add the Communist nation days later on July 21, 2021 with a statement from the State Department that said of the trip as an opportunity to "hold candid exchanges with PRC officials to advance U.S. interests and values and to responsibly manage the relationship". Earlier published schedule for Secretary Sherman's trip included stops at Japan, South Korea, Mongolia and Oman. With July 21, 2021, announcement, Biden administration is sending a high-level diplomat to People's Republic of China [PRC] to begin a process to work on a relationship that has significantly deteriorated over the past several weeks. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and others in the northeastern city of Tianjin on July 25, 2021 [U.S. time]/ July 26, 2021 (local time).
U.S., China Do Careful Tap Dancing
In the highest-profile visit of a Biden administration official, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on July 26, 2021 met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng and others at Tianjin. Both sides treaded carefully as Sherman emphasized on areas of co-operation between the two largest economies of the world, including climate change, counter-terrorism, North Korea and Iran. Subsequently, a U.S. State Department statement issued by the spokesperson Ned Price stressed on the Sino-U.S. relations as "Deputy Secretary underscored that the United States welcomes the stiff competition between our countries". Ned Price's readout added: "we don't seek conflict with the PRC".
Biden-Xi Phone Call an Effort to Pivot the Rocky Relationship to a New Start
President Joe Biden initiated a phone call with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to restart the process of engagement as the Sino-U.S. relationship had hit a snag. The 90-minute, September 9, 2021, phone call has been less about specific issues, which are plentiful, than setting the overall atmosphere to a more engaging level where negotiations may resume without any further delay. The White House issued a statement, driving home the same points: "two leaders had a broad, strategic discussion in which they discussed areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values and perspectives diverge".
***** Biden-Xi Virtual Summit
Biden, Xi Vow to Co-operate
At a virtual summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 15, 2021, both nations vowed to plough forward with a spirit of co-operation. Biden opened the summit by stressing the need for "our responsibility as leaders of China and the United States to ensure that the competition between our countries does not veer into conflict, whether intended or unintended". Chinese President Xi Jinping, on his part, called Joe Biden his "old friend", and expressed hope for a relationship based on "respect for each other". President Biden held the conference call from the majestic Roosevelt Room of the White House accompanied by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and other aides. Xi was joined by the Communist Party Director Ding Xuexiang and other aides. White House set the expectation low for the November 15, 2021, virtual summit, and there was no joint communique at the end of the summit too. The summit was held days after Beijing and Washington had agreed at the COP-26 Glasgow Climate Conference to unitedly fight against Global Warming.
***** Biden-Xi Virtual Summit
************************************ U.S.-CHINA DIALOGUE *******************************
Quartet Takes Action against Beijing over Uighur Rights
In a clear break from Trump administration's go-alone approach, Biden administration on March 22, 2021 joined with U.K., Canada and 27-nation European Union to take a concerted and coordinated action against China and imposed sanctions against four Xinjian officials for abusing the rights of Uighur people. British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab called the concerted sanctions as the result of "intensive diplomacy". U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken sounded a multilateral and unified sentiment "with our allies around the world", a familiar retreat to the traditional model of running foreign policies from a chaotic past four years of "sound-and-fury" pursued by Trump administration. In addition, 27-nation European Union froze the assets of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps' Public Security Bureau, which it called a "state-owned economic and paramilitary organization".
Response from Beijing was also swift. Beijing on March 22, 2021 slapped sanctions against 10 individuals and four institutions. China imposed retaliatory sanctions against U.S.-based German scholar Adrian Zenz and five members of European parliament--Reinhard Butikofer, Michael Gahler, Raphael Glucksmann, Ilhan Kyuchyuk and Miriam Lexmann.
************************************* BIRTH CAP INCREASED *****************************
China Raises Birth Cap
Facing a future workforce shortage amidst an aging nation, China on May 31, 2021 raised the current cap of two children per family to three children per family. Xinhua news agency announced the policy change on May 31, 2021 after decision to this effect was made at a Political Bureau meeting of the CPC chaired by President Xi Jinping. Xinhua said that the decision had been made to raise the family cap to maintain "national security and social stability" and ensure a pipeline of "human endowment". China's population has increased 1.41 billion in 2020 from 1.40 billion in 2019. Average annual population growth in China for the past decade was a mere 0.53%, slowest such growth rate since 1950s.
Parliament Approves Three-Child Birth Cap Policy
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on August 20, 2021 amended the Population and Family Planning Law to increase the cap of child births to three, paving the way for the Communist Party of China's one of the most critical demographic policy decisions to go into effect to align the need of a burgeoning economy with an optimal level of educated, working-age population. The birth cap boost comes on the heels of the last change in birth cap from a single-child policy to two-child cap in 2015.
************************************* BIRTH CAP INCREASED *****************************
100th Anniversary of CPC: Xi Gives a Bellicose Address
Addressing tens of thousands, waving Communist Party flags and memorabilia to mark the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China at the sprawling Tiananmen Square, President Xi Jinping on July 1, 2021 vowed to defend the country and not to "allow any foreign force to bully, oppress or enslave us" anymore. Xi added: "anyone who attempts to do so will face broken heads and bloodshed in front of the iron Great Wall of the 1.4 billion Chinese people". Xi also vowed to continue with one-party rule.
U.S.
to Use Diplomatic Boycott to Press Beijing on Rights Issues
In
a bold, far-reaching and one of the most consequential steps defining the
Sino-U.S. relations, Biden administration on December 6, 2021 announced
that it would not send its diplomats or officials to represent the country in
the 2022 Winter Olympics in China. Although it is not a full-fledged
boycott as athletes will participate in the February 2022 Winter Olympics,
the step is one of the sharpest diplomatic and political snub to Beijing over
its rights abuses in Hong Kong and Uyghur region as well as its threatening
policy toward Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said
on December 6, 2021 in anticipation of the U.S. diplomatic boycott that
it was “a great travesty of the spirit of the Olympic Charter, a blatant
political provocation and a serious affront to the 1.4 billion Chinese people”.
Although Russian athletes will not be participating under the Russian flag as
part of a sanction imposed by the International Olympic Committee over a doping
scandal, Russian leader Vladimir Putin will attend the Olympic. The sanction
on Russian athletes will last through the end of 2022.
Regime-linked Chinese Drone Maker Reported to be Leading Supplier to Law
Enforcement
In a troubling report, The Washington Post said on February 1,
2022 that the DJI, a Chinese drone maker which happened to be the
leading supplier to American law enforcement agencies, had links to Chinese
government. At least four investment entities either controlled by Chinese
governments partially or fully have stakes in the DJI, according to The
Washington Post report. Benjamin Carr, a ranking Republican on the Federal
Communications Commission, which had okayed the DJI transactions, expressed
deep concern over the report. Before The Washington Post report, there
was no inkling that the Chinese government had any stake in the DJI.
China Spotlights Uighur Athlete on Olympics Opening Ceremony, Dismisses
Discrimination
China pulled the most compelling political and diplomatic trick in front
hundreds of millions of international audiences by showcasing a Uighur
athlete as one of the two torch-bearers during the opening of the 2022
Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4, 2022 at the Bird’s Nest
stadium. Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uighur, and Zhao Jiawen held the
torch as the Games had opened.
China East Airline Crash Worst in Decades
A China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane on March 21,
2022 crashed in mountainous areas in southern China. China Eastern
Airlines Flight 5735 was carrying 123 passengers and 9 crew members,
according to Civil Aviation Administration of China. The flight took off
from Kunming and was about to land Guangzhou at 3PM local time.
This is the deadliest accident in China’s history since 1994. The plane crashed
in a mountainous area in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Wallets, Others Retrieved from the Crash Site
Emergency personnel and rescue crews on March 22, 2022 searched
for bodies, belongings and airline fragments on steep mountain slopes of Guangxi
Zhuang Autonomous Region. Rescuers found wallets, ID documents and other
belongings from the debris of the ill-fated China Eastern Airlines Flight
5735.
Rescuers Find Black Box
Rescuers on March 23, 2022 retrieved one of the two Black Boxes. The
Cockpit Voice Recorder will provide the crash investigators with key
insight into the crash of the China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735.
Second Black Box Recovered
Search crews on March 27, 2022 found the Flight Data Recorder from the mountain in south China.
*********************************** 20TH CPC PARTY CONGRESS **************************
20th Party Congress of CPC: Party Congress Opens with Call to
Strengthen Military
President Xi Jinping on October 16, 2022 opened 20th
Party Congress with call for massive development of country’s military
capabilities and continuing with the political status quo of the domination of
CPC over every facet of people’s lives. Xi Jinping vowed to take Taiwan, focusing on "wheels of history" that would be "rolling toward China's unification".
Xi to Lead CPC for Third Five-year Term
A week of party conclave ended on October 23, 2022 as curtain had
been drawn on 20th Party Congress of Communist Party of China.
The party Congress has reposed faith in the hands of President Xi Jinping
to steer the country to navigate through a challenging environment of a potentially
slowing economy, rising unemployment and a continuing threat of Omicron strain.
Xi Jinping, who had led the effort that abolished presidential term
limit in 2018, was given the mandate of leading the party for the next
five years as general secretary. Xi will also chair the party’s powerful
Military Commission. There was an unofficial rule since the era of Mao
to limit the post of general secretary to two terms. Electing Xi Jinping
as the party’s general secretary for the third five-year term was an
unprecedented act of the 20th Party Congress.
A 24-member new Political bureau and a seven-member Standing
Committee were formed too. The rule of Xi Jinping at the helms of
CPC since 2012 ushered in significant changes on how the party had viewed
itself vis-Ã -vis government in terms of asserting party’s domination over
masses through a range of policy prescriptions, forming a closer bond with
Russia and more belligerent attitude towards unification with Taiwan. Premier Li
Keqiang has been dropped from the Standing Committee. China’s next premier
most likely will be Sanghai party chief Li Qiang who has earned plaudits
from central leadership and scorn from a vast number of local residents for
pursuing a strategy of ZERO-TOLERANCE COVID policy.
*********************************** 20TH CPC PARTY CONGRESS **************************
Xi Formally Elected to Third Five-year term by Parliament
A foregone and formal event has set the course for Chinese President
Xi Jinping to start his journey for another five-year term as the world’s
second-largest economy is facing economic headwind in post-Zero-COVID era, an
assertive west ready to rally support for Taiwan, a dominant geopolitical push
by the U.S. in Indo-Pacific region in general and South China Sea in
particular, and a global economic toll from a lingering Russia-Ukraine
conflict. National People’s Congress on March 9, 2023 voted 2,952-0 to
elect Xi Jinping for the third five-year term.
China’s Leader Calls for Assertive Role in “Global Governance System”
Addressing the concluding session of National People’s Congress on
March 13, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping touted the successful
hosting and mediation of talks that had eventually yielded a breakthrough in
diplomatic and political stalemate between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The success
of delivering the once-unthinkable achievement is nothing short of a diplomatic
coup, and it has brightened Beijing’s credibility in the international
community as a forceful peacemaker. Basking in the glory of Iran-Saudi agreement
that would restore the diplomatic normalization between the Shiite and Sunni
powerhouses, Xi Jinping told the NPC members that the Communist nation
should “actively participate in the reform and construction of the global
governance system”. Chinese parliament also gave the stamp of approval for Xi
Jinping’s pick for premier, Li Qiang, who would spearhead the country’s
drive to accelerate the economic growth after a meager 3% growth in 2022.
This year’s official growth target is a modest 5%.
Back-and-Forth Between High-ranking U.S., Chinese Officials at Defense
Conference
An internationally acclaimed defense symposium has become a podium of
contentious narratives of U.S. and Chinese perspectives and policies toward the
Indo-Pacific theater. Attending the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore,
U.S. Defense Secretary Llyod Austin said on June 3, 2023 that
Washington would not stand for “coercion and bullying” of U.S. partners and allies
by China. Austin’s comments were one of the sharpest to the date against
Beijing’s over-aggressive and -assertive policies.
However, the Chinese response to U.S. Defense Secretary Llyod Austin’s
comments was in no measure feeble. Chinese Central Military Commission’s Deputy
Head of the Joint Staff Department Lt. Gen. Jing Jianfeng said on June
3, 2023 that U.S. was using “enticements and coercion” to “protect hegemony
by making dominance look good”. A day later, June 4, 2023, Chinese Defense
Minister Li Shangfu, addressing the audience of 2023 Shangri-La Dialogue, said
that some nations wanted to “wantonly” meddle "in other countries’ internal
affairs".
Blinken Visit Softens Rigid Stands, but Yields no Significant
Breakthrough
Postponed over China’s spy balloon episode, U.S. Secretary of State
Anthony Blinken undertook the much-delayed official visit to China in the
third week of June 2023, marking the highest level of visit by any U.S.
official in five years. Blinken met with his Chinese counterpart, Qin Gang,
on June 18, 2023, and talks proceeded in an amicable fashion.
On June 19, 2023, Anthony Blinken met with Chinese President
Xi Jinping. One of the key American objectives, reestablishing the
military-to-military communication cadence, was not fulfilled as China’s main
point-person for the Western Hemisphere, Yang Tao, later summarized that
“the U.S. side is surely aware of why there is difficulty in
military-to-military exchanges”, alluding to sanctions imposed on China over
security threats. However, the U.S. is pleased that China has agreed to oblige
and follow the common understanding reached between Presidents Joe Biden and
Xi Jinping in Bali.
Kerry’s, Kissinger’s Visits Aim to Stabilize Sino-U.S. Relations
In a concerted effort to smoothen over the rough and turbulent patches
in the Sino-U.S. relationship, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry on July 18,
2023 met at Beijing with one of the China’s top diplomats, Wang Yi,
head of Communist Party’s foreign relations department. Both sides emphasized
on continuing the communication cadence as sometimes, in the words of Wang, “small
problems can become big problems” and through continuous communication “we can
find a proper solution".
Separately on July 18, 2023, the pioneer in the thaw of the Cold
War-era relationship between the nations, centenarian Former Secretary of
State Henry Kissinger, met with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu
to help facilitate a congenial environment for mending a fast-deteriorating
relationship.
China Ousts Foreign Minister
China on July 25, 2023 replaced Foreign Minister Qin Gang by
his predecessor Wang Yi.
China’s Number 2 Military Commander Visits Russia
Picking up the thread from the earlier high-profile visits such as Chinese
President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow in March 2023 and Russian President
Vladimir Putin’s visit to China last month where he has joined a Belt
and Road Infrastructure conference, Chinese Gen. Zhang Youxia, the second-ranking
military official, is visiting Russia in what he calls an opportunity for discussions
on “fundamental interests and key concerns” to carry out China’s call last year
for a “no-limits” friendship between Beijing and Moscow. On November 8, 2023,
Zhang met Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu called the
burgeoning relationship between China and Russia as “an example of strategic
interaction based on trust and respect".
Decreased Academic Collaboration with China to Undermine U.S. Innovation
At last, the mainstream media is paying attention to the headwind that
an overly restrictive regime of academic collaboration can pose to our
innovative excellence and academic superiority. The Dallas Morning News
published an insightful and interesting article on this subject on December
24, 2023. Conservatives and right-wing politicians in the U.S. are raising
the boogeyman of Chinese espionage and conspiracy over the past several
decades, and at last, they appear to be succeeding. Sino-U.S. academic
relations and collaboration attained new heights after a 1979 agreement
was signed between the nations. The U.S.-China Science Cooperation Agreement
fostered the needed environment that spawned innovative research at the U.S.
universities and firmed research and academic collaborations between the institutions
from both nations. However, under Trump’s America First approach, Sino-U.S.
academic exchange programs and innovation-oriented collaboration took a
backseat, leading to the so-called China Initiative launched in 2018 to
investigate and identify the people, especially in academia, involved in
espionage for China. One of the key outcomes of the initiative is the investigation
of numerous prominent scientists of Chinese descent at the U.S. universities. One
of the prominent such inquiries led to indictment against an MIT professor of
Mechanical Engineering, Gang Chen, in 2021. Although prosecutors later
dropped all the charges against Gang Chen, Gang already lost his core research
group. Biden administration ended the China Initiative in 2022, but pursued
other avenues to tighten the noose around a broader collaboration and academic
bond between the U.S. and Chinese researchers. Meanwhile, the U.S.-China
Science Cooperation Agreement of 1979 lapsed this year, but lawmakers
renewed it for just six months in August 2023. It will come up for renewal in
the coming weeks.
China Names a New Defense Minister
China on December 29, 2023 named a Navy veteran, Dong Jun, as the
second-largest economy’s new defense minister that would facilitate resuming
high-level defense talks with the U.S. China has ousted the former Defense
Minister Li Shangfu in October 2023 as part of a political shake-up that’s
still continuing.
Xi Vows to Re-unify China with Taiwan
Addressing the nation on the New Year’s Day, Chinese President Xi
Jinping on January 1, 2024 said that the people on both sides of the Taiwan
Strait would be bound by a common sense of purpose and vowed to re-unify
the country with the breakaway island of Taiwan. The address is billed by the
western observers as a high-decibel rhetoric to ratchet up tension in the Taiwan
Strait.
HONG KONG
Face Mask Banned
Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, on October 4, 2019 issued an emergency ordinance banning face masks at demonstrations. The ordinance immediately drew fire from pro-democracy activists, who had been demonstrating on October 4, 2019 night and called to resist this draconian measure.
Anti-government Protesters Vandalize Office of Chinese Government Mouthpiece
Violence again flared up on November 2, 2019, with masked protesters engaging in street battles with Honk Kong police in Causeway Bay shopping area and Victoria Park. The Causeway Bay shopping district was filled in pungent smell of tear gas. During the day, in a serious threat to Chinese authorities, demonstrators vandalized the Hong Kong office of China's official Xinhua News Agency in the city's Wan Chai neighborhood.
Hong Kong Protester Succumbs to the Wound; First Fatality in the anti-Government Protest
A 22-year-old student who fell from a parking garage on November 4, 2019 during anti-government demonstration died in hospital on November 8, 2019, becoming the first fatality.
China Vows to Enforce Loyalty in Hong Kong
The head of Chinese body that oversees Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, has written on agency's website on November 10, 2019 the key reason that separatist tendencies in Hong Kong are on the rise is because of the inability of implementing Article 23, a measure that prohibits treasonous and subversive acts against Beijing, and all the governing members, including chief executive, has to adhere firm loyalty to Beijing in future, implying toughening of stand that may one day preclude any dissenting voice in regional assembly.
Protester Shot; Another Set Himself Ablaze
November 11, 2019 turned out to be one of the most violent days in months-long protest as a protester had been shot by security forces and a second protester tried to immolate by setting himself in fire. Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, pledged during the day to "spare no effort in finding ways and means" to end the violence. As the night fell, violence erupted again in the Mongkok district.
University Turns Violent
The campus of Chinese University of Hong Kong turned a violent place on November 12, 2019 as pitched battle erupted between demonstrators and authorities amidst Hong Kong authorities' and Beijing's continuous dilemma on whether to hold November 24, 2019, local polls.
PLA Forces Join Hands in Clean-up
People's Liberation Army personnel emerged from barracks in Hong Kong without arms on November 16, 2019 to clean up the campus of Chinese University of Hong Kong that had been turned a battle ground four days earlier. The November 16, 2019, mop-up drive by PLA was a classic PR effort to win the hearts of Hong Kong residents in the backdrop continuing siege at another campus, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Police Enters Polytechnic Campus
Hong Kong police on November 18, 2019 stormed the Hong Kong Polytechnic campus after days of pleading with the demonstrators to leave the campus fell on deaf ears.
Police Blockade Enters the Third Day at Hong Kong Polytechnic
The police blockade at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University that had begun on November 17, 2019 entered the third day on November 19, 2019, with tension and trepidation rising. Carrie Lam, head of China's authority in the city, said that about 600 demonstrators had surrendered in the first two days, and about 200 still remained holed up.
Pro-Democracy Candidates Score Landslide Wins
In November 24, 2019, local election, Hong Kong chief executive, Carrie Lam, was dealt a severe setback as pro-democracy candidates won 90% of the seats and would control 17 of the 18 district councils. The voter turnout was huge, with 3 million voters exercising their democratic rights.
On November 26, 2019, Carrie Lam said that she would not resign and gave her own spin of poll outcome, saying that voters might be unhappy over how the protest might have cascaded out of control.
China Blasts USA for Hong Kong Bills
President Donald Trump's signing of Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HHRDA) championing of freedom and rights in Hong Kong drew immediate political blowback and diplomatic whipsaw from Beijing as American Ambassador to China Terry Branstad was summoned on November 28, 2019 to the foreign ministry office where Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng had some tough words for USA's "serious interference in China's internal affairs" and Washington's "nakedly hegemonic act".
Although President Donald Trump had initial reservation about Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HHRDA), the veto-proof margins--passed unanimously by the Senate and with a margin of 417-1 by the House--left the president with no choice. Under the bill, State Department has to certify the freedom and human rights conditions every year to continue with the favored trade and economic status.
China on December 2, 2019 vowed to pay USA with its own coin, and decided to suspend U.S. military vessel stops at Hong Kong for indefinite period.
Violence Marks the First Day of 2020
Thousands of demonstrators came out to protest against Chinese rule in Hong Kong on the New Year Day, and by and large, the demonstration was peaceful. However, a breakaway faction from the main demonstration resorted to violence, and began vandalizing in the main business district. Police used water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the unruly crowd.
New Liaison for Hong Kong Named
Chinese government on January 4, 2020 named a new director of the Hong Kong liaison office as the semi-autonomous region had been undergoing convulsions of political turmoil and democracy movement over the past six months. Luo Huining will replace Wang Zhimin, who has been doubling as chief liaison for both Macau and Hong Kong, which he has been appointed to as the liaison director in 2017.
HRW Chief Denied Entry to Hong Kong
In a straight challenge to human rights and freedom of movement, Hong Kong authorities on January 12, 2020 blocked the entry of Human Rights Watch chief, Kenneth Roth, to the semiautonomous region.
Amid Coronavirus, Authorities Arrest 14 Pro-Democracy Leaders
Taking the opportunity of a world diverted to COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong authorities struck against the pro-democracy movement on April 18, 2020, arresting 14 senior leaders, including veteran former lawmaker Martin Lee. United States condemned the arrests immediately.
Chinese Parliament's Week-long Session to Consider More Control over Hong Kong
Amidst international attention focused on mitigating the novel coronavirus pandemic, China's parliament and ruling Communist hierarchy are on full swing to bring about changes to the Basic Law, the constitutional framework of governance of Hong Kong and linchpin of "One Country, Two System" principle. The National People's Congress' once-a-year, full-week session will sit in Beijing on May 22, 2020 and continue until May 28, 2020. The NPC will consider a bill that strives toward "establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security", Chinese government spokesperson Zhang Yesui said on May 21, 2020. The bill will drive home the point to emphasize the Article 23 of the Basic Law that prohibits any act of treason, sedition, secession, or subversion. U.S. already issued a threat that it would downgrade its trade status with Hong Kong if Chinese authorities proceeded with the bill.
Hong Kong Erupts in Protest as National Security Law Proceeds in China's Parliament
As a national security bill introduced on the opening session of once-a-year sitting of National People's Congress on May 22, 2020 that would bring the ongoing anti-government protest movement more under the legal cover of the Article 23 of the Basic Law and allow the local authorities to hit hard against the participants on the grounds of "foreign interference", secessionist and subversive activities, Hong Kong's young protesters took to streets on May 24, 2020, defying the social distancing and other restrictive edicts imposed by local authorities to fight against coronavirus. The May 24, 2020, demonstration was organized on social media, and thousands of people, carrying placards, assembled at the Causeway Bay shopping district. Security forces have to jostle with dozens of protesters and arrested many of them. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on May 22, 2020 in Beijing that the national security legislation was "urgent and imperative" as the unrest in Hong Kong was aimed at destroying the island's "prosperity and stability".
Pompeo Downgrades Hong Kong's Status
In an annual report prepared for Congress, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May 27, 2020 recommended downgrading the special status that Hong Kong had enjoyed with the U.S. since 1997 handover by U.K. to China. After the downgrade, Hong Kong's status will be at par with China, paving the way for Trump administration impose sanctions like the ones against China.
Chinese Parliament Approves New National Security Law for Hong Kong
In a systemic move to chip away the so called "one nation, two systems" principle, China's National People's Congress on May 28, 2020 moved forward to vote a new bill that would curtail very rights of Hong Kong's people which they had enjoyed so far under the Basic Law. Now, parliament's Standing Committee will take up the measure in the coming months to formulate more specific steps, laws and sub-laws to strengthen the sedition, insurrection and foreign interference clauses.
Event to Commemorate Tiananmen Massacre Banned in Hong Kong, but Crowd Defies
For the first time, Hong Kong authorities banned event to commemorate Tiananmen Square massacre happened 31 years ago on June 3 and June 4, 1989. However, scores of demonstrators defied the public ban on assembly, imposed in the pretext of, according to many activists, maintaining social distancing to prevent novel coronavirus, and held a candle-light vigil at Victoria Park on June 4, 2020. Earlier in the day, Hong Kong legislature passed a resolution, over the opposition by pro-democracy lawmakers, that would make any action to dishonor Chinese national anthem a crime.
Hong Kong Marks the One-year Anniversary of Anti-government Protest
Scores of young activists defied government call to forego demonstrations in order to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus and marked 1-year anniversary on June 12, 2020 by holding candle-light vigil and other means of demonstrations. At places, security forces used pepper spray to disperse protesters.
Hong Kong's New Special National Law Divulged in Little More Details
China's Xinhua News Agency reported on June 20, 2020 that the recently approved national security law for Hong Kong would categorize four groups of activities anti-national and would be prosecuted accordingly: secession, subversion of the state power, local terrorist activities and collaborating with foreign powers to harm national security. China will set up, according to the June 20, 2020, report carried by Xinhua, a special prosecuting tribunal to try those cases.
China's New National Security Law for Hong Kong Takes Effect
At last, Beijing is able to pull off the one of the rarest legislative bills that goes into effect on June 30, 2020. The new national security law can be leveraged by China-backed Hong Kong authorities to clamp down on protest mercilessly.
Despite New Security Law, Thousands Mark 23rd Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover
Hours after a new national security went into effect and a Hong Kong agency answerable to Beijing began to oversee the law, thousands of demonstrators defied ban on assembly on July 1, 2020, and marked the 23rd anniversary of the island's handover to China by Britain. At places, demonstrations turned violent, and security forces used pepper spray and water cannon to disperse the crowd. At least 10 police personnel were injured. At least 370 protesters were arrested, including 10 under the new national security law that aimed to broad-brush many of the democratic protests as part of secession, anti-national, or terrorist activities, as well as demonstrations supported by foreign powers with all of them now targeted by the new law.
Democracy Leader Leaves Hong Kong; Head of Agency to Oversee Security Law Named
The Associated Press reported on July 3, 2020 that Hong Kong's pro-democracy leader Nathan Law had left Hong Kong for an undisclosed nation as he had feared his arrest under the newly promulgated national security law that had gone into effect on June 30, 2020 after appearing before a U.S. congressional panel. Nathan Law, who became famous after co-leading the 2014 Umbrella Revolution, became a lawmaker of Hong Kong legislature, but was later disqualified as he raised his voice during the swearing-in ceremony. During the day, Nathan Law told The Associated Press that although he would miss the place where he had been born and raised, but Hong Kong needed a leader who would interact with the world.
Meanwhile, the head of the Hong Kong agency responsible for overseeing the national security law and answerable to Beijing was named on July 3, 2020. A Communist official from the adjoining Guangdong Province of China, Zheng Yanxiong, 56, was named as the head of the agency. Also on July 3, 2020, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suspended the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Under the New National Security Law, Hong Kong Law Enforcers Will Have Carte Blanche
As additional details regarding a notorious recently passed national security law are coming out in bits and pieces on daily basis, it is becoming clear that Hong Kong's law enforcement agencies will have power to conduct searches without warrants under some circumstances, prohibit demonstrators from leaving the city and intercept communications. In addition, slogans such as "Liberty for Hong Kong" will be deemed anti-national and will fall under the purview of the draconian law.
Britain Suspends Extradition Treaty, Arms Sales
Especially hit home hard and sensitive to British conscience as the failure of "one country, two system" principle that's supposed to last for 50 years since 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China has come to reflect London's own helplessness, British Foreign Minister Dominique Raab on July 20, 2020 told the lawmakers in the House of Commons that Boris Johnson's government had serious concerns about the new national security law for Hong Kong and how Beijing treated minority Uighurs in Xinjiang Province in the west, and decided to suspend the extradition law and block any future arms sales to the island.
Britain to Welcome Millions of Hong Kong Residents
British Foreign Minister Dominique Raab on July 22, 2020 justified the day's Home Office's statement to grant holders of British National Overseas Passport and their immediate family members to move to and work in Britain, saying that "U.K. is keeping its words" to stand by Hong Kong residents.
******************************* JIMMY LAI ******************************
Media Tycoon Arrested in Hong Kong; Six U.S. Lawmakers Sanctioned
On August 10, 2020, political fury ran in full steam from Hong Kong to Beijing to Washington as Hong Kong's media tycoon, Jimmy Lai, an unabashed backer of more autonomy for the island was arrested on the new national security law violation and his media company, Apple Daily, was raided by Hong Kong security personnel. Separately in Beijing, a foreign ministry official, Zhao Lijian, on August 10, 2020 announced sanctions on five U.S. Senators--Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Pat Toomey--and one House member, Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, among others, for interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs that "seriously violated international law and basic norms of international relations". A month ago, China imposed travel ban on Cruz, Rubio and Smith, but this time, China went forward with broad ranging, but symbolic, sanctions.
Face Mask Banned
Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, on October 4, 2019 issued an emergency ordinance banning face masks at demonstrations. The ordinance immediately drew fire from pro-democracy activists, who had been demonstrating on October 4, 2019 night and called to resist this draconian measure.
Anti-government Protesters Vandalize Office of Chinese Government Mouthpiece
Violence again flared up on November 2, 2019, with masked protesters engaging in street battles with Honk Kong police in Causeway Bay shopping area and Victoria Park. The Causeway Bay shopping district was filled in pungent smell of tear gas. During the day, in a serious threat to Chinese authorities, demonstrators vandalized the Hong Kong office of China's official Xinhua News Agency in the city's Wan Chai neighborhood.
Hong Kong Protester Succumbs to the Wound; First Fatality in the anti-Government Protest
A 22-year-old student who fell from a parking garage on November 4, 2019 during anti-government demonstration died in hospital on November 8, 2019, becoming the first fatality.
China Vows to Enforce Loyalty in Hong Kong
The head of Chinese body that oversees Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, has written on agency's website on November 10, 2019 the key reason that separatist tendencies in Hong Kong are on the rise is because of the inability of implementing Article 23, a measure that prohibits treasonous and subversive acts against Beijing, and all the governing members, including chief executive, has to adhere firm loyalty to Beijing in future, implying toughening of stand that may one day preclude any dissenting voice in regional assembly.
Protester Shot; Another Set Himself Ablaze
November 11, 2019 turned out to be one of the most violent days in months-long protest as a protester had been shot by security forces and a second protester tried to immolate by setting himself in fire. Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, pledged during the day to "spare no effort in finding ways and means" to end the violence. As the night fell, violence erupted again in the Mongkok district.
University Turns Violent
The campus of Chinese University of Hong Kong turned a violent place on November 12, 2019 as pitched battle erupted between demonstrators and authorities amidst Hong Kong authorities' and Beijing's continuous dilemma on whether to hold November 24, 2019, local polls.
PLA Forces Join Hands in Clean-up
People's Liberation Army personnel emerged from barracks in Hong Kong without arms on November 16, 2019 to clean up the campus of Chinese University of Hong Kong that had been turned a battle ground four days earlier. The November 16, 2019, mop-up drive by PLA was a classic PR effort to win the hearts of Hong Kong residents in the backdrop continuing siege at another campus, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Police Enters Polytechnic Campus
Hong Kong police on November 18, 2019 stormed the Hong Kong Polytechnic campus after days of pleading with the demonstrators to leave the campus fell on deaf ears.
Police Blockade Enters the Third Day at Hong Kong Polytechnic
The police blockade at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University that had begun on November 17, 2019 entered the third day on November 19, 2019, with tension and trepidation rising. Carrie Lam, head of China's authority in the city, said that about 600 demonstrators had surrendered in the first two days, and about 200 still remained holed up.
Pro-Democracy Candidates Score Landslide Wins
In November 24, 2019, local election, Hong Kong chief executive, Carrie Lam, was dealt a severe setback as pro-democracy candidates won 90% of the seats and would control 17 of the 18 district councils. The voter turnout was huge, with 3 million voters exercising their democratic rights.
On November 26, 2019, Carrie Lam said that she would not resign and gave her own spin of poll outcome, saying that voters might be unhappy over how the protest might have cascaded out of control.
China Blasts USA for Hong Kong Bills
President Donald Trump's signing of Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HHRDA) championing of freedom and rights in Hong Kong drew immediate political blowback and diplomatic whipsaw from Beijing as American Ambassador to China Terry Branstad was summoned on November 28, 2019 to the foreign ministry office where Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng had some tough words for USA's "serious interference in China's internal affairs" and Washington's "nakedly hegemonic act".
Although President Donald Trump had initial reservation about Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HHRDA), the veto-proof margins--passed unanimously by the Senate and with a margin of 417-1 by the House--left the president with no choice. Under the bill, State Department has to certify the freedom and human rights conditions every year to continue with the favored trade and economic status.
China on December 2, 2019 vowed to pay USA with its own coin, and decided to suspend U.S. military vessel stops at Hong Kong for indefinite period.
Violence Marks the First Day of 2020
Thousands of demonstrators came out to protest against Chinese rule in Hong Kong on the New Year Day, and by and large, the demonstration was peaceful. However, a breakaway faction from the main demonstration resorted to violence, and began vandalizing in the main business district. Police used water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the unruly crowd.
New Liaison for Hong Kong Named
Chinese government on January 4, 2020 named a new director of the Hong Kong liaison office as the semi-autonomous region had been undergoing convulsions of political turmoil and democracy movement over the past six months. Luo Huining will replace Wang Zhimin, who has been doubling as chief liaison for both Macau and Hong Kong, which he has been appointed to as the liaison director in 2017.
HRW Chief Denied Entry to Hong Kong
In a straight challenge to human rights and freedom of movement, Hong Kong authorities on January 12, 2020 blocked the entry of Human Rights Watch chief, Kenneth Roth, to the semiautonomous region.
Amid Coronavirus, Authorities Arrest 14 Pro-Democracy Leaders
Taking the opportunity of a world diverted to COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong authorities struck against the pro-democracy movement on April 18, 2020, arresting 14 senior leaders, including veteran former lawmaker Martin Lee. United States condemned the arrests immediately.
Chinese Parliament's Week-long Session to Consider More Control over Hong Kong
Amidst international attention focused on mitigating the novel coronavirus pandemic, China's parliament and ruling Communist hierarchy are on full swing to bring about changes to the Basic Law, the constitutional framework of governance of Hong Kong and linchpin of "One Country, Two System" principle. The National People's Congress' once-a-year, full-week session will sit in Beijing on May 22, 2020 and continue until May 28, 2020. The NPC will consider a bill that strives toward "establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security", Chinese government spokesperson Zhang Yesui said on May 21, 2020. The bill will drive home the point to emphasize the Article 23 of the Basic Law that prohibits any act of treason, sedition, secession, or subversion. U.S. already issued a threat that it would downgrade its trade status with Hong Kong if Chinese authorities proceeded with the bill.
Hong Kong Erupts in Protest as National Security Law Proceeds in China's Parliament
As a national security bill introduced on the opening session of once-a-year sitting of National People's Congress on May 22, 2020 that would bring the ongoing anti-government protest movement more under the legal cover of the Article 23 of the Basic Law and allow the local authorities to hit hard against the participants on the grounds of "foreign interference", secessionist and subversive activities, Hong Kong's young protesters took to streets on May 24, 2020, defying the social distancing and other restrictive edicts imposed by local authorities to fight against coronavirus. The May 24, 2020, demonstration was organized on social media, and thousands of people, carrying placards, assembled at the Causeway Bay shopping district. Security forces have to jostle with dozens of protesters and arrested many of them. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on May 22, 2020 in Beijing that the national security legislation was "urgent and imperative" as the unrest in Hong Kong was aimed at destroying the island's "prosperity and stability".
Pompeo Downgrades Hong Kong's Status
In an annual report prepared for Congress, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May 27, 2020 recommended downgrading the special status that Hong Kong had enjoyed with the U.S. since 1997 handover by U.K. to China. After the downgrade, Hong Kong's status will be at par with China, paving the way for Trump administration impose sanctions like the ones against China.
Chinese Parliament Approves New National Security Law for Hong Kong
In a systemic move to chip away the so called "one nation, two systems" principle, China's National People's Congress on May 28, 2020 moved forward to vote a new bill that would curtail very rights of Hong Kong's people which they had enjoyed so far under the Basic Law. Now, parliament's Standing Committee will take up the measure in the coming months to formulate more specific steps, laws and sub-laws to strengthen the sedition, insurrection and foreign interference clauses.
Event to Commemorate Tiananmen Massacre Banned in Hong Kong, but Crowd Defies
For the first time, Hong Kong authorities banned event to commemorate Tiananmen Square massacre happened 31 years ago on June 3 and June 4, 1989. However, scores of demonstrators defied the public ban on assembly, imposed in the pretext of, according to many activists, maintaining social distancing to prevent novel coronavirus, and held a candle-light vigil at Victoria Park on June 4, 2020. Earlier in the day, Hong Kong legislature passed a resolution, over the opposition by pro-democracy lawmakers, that would make any action to dishonor Chinese national anthem a crime.
Hong Kong Marks the One-year Anniversary of Anti-government Protest
Scores of young activists defied government call to forego demonstrations in order to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus and marked 1-year anniversary on June 12, 2020 by holding candle-light vigil and other means of demonstrations. At places, security forces used pepper spray to disperse protesters.
Hong Kong's New Special National Law Divulged in Little More Details
China's Xinhua News Agency reported on June 20, 2020 that the recently approved national security law for Hong Kong would categorize four groups of activities anti-national and would be prosecuted accordingly: secession, subversion of the state power, local terrorist activities and collaborating with foreign powers to harm national security. China will set up, according to the June 20, 2020, report carried by Xinhua, a special prosecuting tribunal to try those cases.
China's New National Security Law for Hong Kong Takes Effect
At last, Beijing is able to pull off the one of the rarest legislative bills that goes into effect on June 30, 2020. The new national security law can be leveraged by China-backed Hong Kong authorities to clamp down on protest mercilessly.
Despite New Security Law, Thousands Mark 23rd Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover
Hours after a new national security went into effect and a Hong Kong agency answerable to Beijing began to oversee the law, thousands of demonstrators defied ban on assembly on July 1, 2020, and marked the 23rd anniversary of the island's handover to China by Britain. At places, demonstrations turned violent, and security forces used pepper spray and water cannon to disperse the crowd. At least 10 police personnel were injured. At least 370 protesters were arrested, including 10 under the new national security law that aimed to broad-brush many of the democratic protests as part of secession, anti-national, or terrorist activities, as well as demonstrations supported by foreign powers with all of them now targeted by the new law.
Democracy Leader Leaves Hong Kong; Head of Agency to Oversee Security Law Named
The Associated Press reported on July 3, 2020 that Hong Kong's pro-democracy leader Nathan Law had left Hong Kong for an undisclosed nation as he had feared his arrest under the newly promulgated national security law that had gone into effect on June 30, 2020 after appearing before a U.S. congressional panel. Nathan Law, who became famous after co-leading the 2014 Umbrella Revolution, became a lawmaker of Hong Kong legislature, but was later disqualified as he raised his voice during the swearing-in ceremony. During the day, Nathan Law told The Associated Press that although he would miss the place where he had been born and raised, but Hong Kong needed a leader who would interact with the world.
Meanwhile, the head of the Hong Kong agency responsible for overseeing the national security law and answerable to Beijing was named on July 3, 2020. A Communist official from the adjoining Guangdong Province of China, Zheng Yanxiong, 56, was named as the head of the agency. Also on July 3, 2020, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suspended the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Under the New National Security Law, Hong Kong Law Enforcers Will Have Carte Blanche
As additional details regarding a notorious recently passed national security law are coming out in bits and pieces on daily basis, it is becoming clear that Hong Kong's law enforcement agencies will have power to conduct searches without warrants under some circumstances, prohibit demonstrators from leaving the city and intercept communications. In addition, slogans such as "Liberty for Hong Kong" will be deemed anti-national and will fall under the purview of the draconian law.
Britain Suspends Extradition Treaty, Arms Sales
Especially hit home hard and sensitive to British conscience as the failure of "one country, two system" principle that's supposed to last for 50 years since 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China has come to reflect London's own helplessness, British Foreign Minister Dominique Raab on July 20, 2020 told the lawmakers in the House of Commons that Boris Johnson's government had serious concerns about the new national security law for Hong Kong and how Beijing treated minority Uighurs in Xinjiang Province in the west, and decided to suspend the extradition law and block any future arms sales to the island.
Britain to Welcome Millions of Hong Kong Residents
British Foreign Minister Dominique Raab on July 22, 2020 justified the day's Home Office's statement to grant holders of British National Overseas Passport and their immediate family members to move to and work in Britain, saying that "U.K. is keeping its words" to stand by Hong Kong residents.
******************************* JIMMY LAI ******************************
Media Tycoon Arrested in Hong Kong; Six U.S. Lawmakers Sanctioned
On August 10, 2020, political fury ran in full steam from Hong Kong to Beijing to Washington as Hong Kong's media tycoon, Jimmy Lai, an unabashed backer of more autonomy for the island was arrested on the new national security law violation and his media company, Apple Daily, was raided by Hong Kong security personnel. Separately in Beijing, a foreign ministry official, Zhao Lijian, on August 10, 2020 announced sanctions on five U.S. Senators--Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Pat Toomey--and one House member, Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, among others, for interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs that "seriously violated international law and basic norms of international relations". A month ago, China imposed travel ban on Cruz, Rubio and Smith, but this time, China went forward with broad ranging, but symbolic, sanctions.
Media
Tycoon Charged on Serious Count
A
media tycoon who is an unabashed backer of Hong Kong’s freedom and political
autonomy and has been arrested on August 10, 2020 under the then-weeks-old
national security law has been charged on December 11, 2020 on “collusion
with a foreign country”, potentially sending him for life in prison. Jimmy
Lai, who founded Apple Daily, was the fourth and highest-profile
person to be charged with the stringent national security law that went into
effect on June 30, 2020.
Appointment of Foreign Lawyer to Defend Defendants Dependent on Ruler
In a high-profile case, the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress
on December 30, 2022 said that no court in Hong Kong could approve the
appointment of a foreign lawyer without the permission from the island’s top
administrator. The context of the NPC’s guidance stems from a recent ruling
from Hong Kong’s high court that had approved Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct
Apple Daily, to appoint a British Barrister, Timothy Owen, to
defend him, leading Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee to seek clarity
from the Mainland’s august parliamentary body.
Jimmy Lai’s Trial Begins
Amid heavy security, former media mogul Jimmy Lai’s trial began on
December 18, 2023, a year after the original timeline. Hong Kong’s
Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen was at the court too to support Lai. The
defense lawyer, Robert Pang, argued that the charges were not levelled
as per procedures. Last year, six co-defendants who had worked at the now-defunct
Apple Daily pleaded guilty.
******************************* JIMMY LAI ******************************
Protesters Gather amidst Ban; Stand off with Security Forces
In a defiant gesture, thousands of Hong Kong residents emerged from their homes on a social media call to protest against Hong Kong authorities' decision to postpone the local polls slated during the day. The September 6, 2020, demonstration was wholly organized via social media, and in defiance of ban on such gatherings. Thousands of young people participated in the protest. Security forces launched searches in public transportation, private vehicles and among pedestrians to nab would-be protesters. Security forces clamped down huge security cordon in the Kowloon neighborhood, venue of the protest. At least 289 people were arrested during the day, including one under the recently passed national security law.
Protesters Gather amidst Ban; Stand off with Security Forces
In a defiant gesture, thousands of Hong Kong residents emerged from their homes on a social media call to protest against Hong Kong authorities' decision to postpone the local polls slated during the day. The September 6, 2020, demonstration was wholly organized via social media, and in defiance of ban on such gatherings. Thousands of young people participated in the protest. Security forces launched searches in public transportation, private vehicles and among pedestrians to nab would-be protesters. Security forces clamped down huge security cordon in the Kowloon neighborhood, venue of the protest. At least 289 people were arrested during the day, including one under the recently passed national security law.
Trump-era
Hong Kong Status Determination Upheld by Blinken
That
the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in no mood to stray away
from the overall direction of his predecessor’s policy towards Hong Kong has
become abundantly clear on March 31, 2021 as he has upheld the May 2020
determination of the then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Chinese
government and its proxy in Hong Kong have dismantled substantial degree of
autonomy in the island nation that China has guaranteed for five decades since July
1, 1997, transfer of authority. President Joe Biden’s foreign policy
chief said that Hong Kong did not deserve any favored trade deal with the U.S.
as it had been a party to the violation of both the Sino-British Joint
Declaration and Hong Kong’s Basic Law. In addition, Secretary
Anthony Blinken pointed out Hong Kong authorities’ “implementation of National
Security Law” that had “undermined the rights and freedoms of people in
Hong Kong".
Seven Convicted of Participating in anti government Rally
A business tycoon, Jimmy Lai, Martin Lee, the octogenarian founder of city's Democratic Party and five former lawmakers were on April 1, 2021 convicted of participating in an unsanctioned walk from Hong Kong's Victoria Park. On August 18, 2019, rallyists were allowed to assemble at the park, but any organized walk from the park was illegal.
Five Sentenced to Varying Degree of Imprisonment
A Hong Kong court on April 16, 2021 sentenced five pro-democracy activists, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, to up to 18 months behind the bar while suspending the sentences on other four, including 82-year-old veteran democracy activist Martin Lee, on the grounds of age or accomplishment.
Co-founder of Hong Kong's Tiananmen Square Memorial Organization Arrested
On the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, one of the co-founders and vice chair of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movement was arrested. Chow Hang Tung was taken to the custody in the early hours of June 4, 2021. Last month, she told correspondents that she might get arrested soon for organizing pro-democracy rallies. Two of her compatriots of the Hong Kong Alliance--Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho--are behind the bars for leading pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. Usually Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movement organizes annual Tiananmen Crackdown vigil every year at the Victoria Park. Hong Kong authorities banned all demonstrations in 2020 and they continued to be banned this year too.
Despite Ban, Hundreds Participate in Hong Kong Vigil
Although Victoria Park was closed off by authorities to prevent any unauthorized gathering of protesters, hundreds of young people on June 4, 2021 turned out in the evening along the perimeter of the storied park in the Causeway Bay shopping district to hold a candlelight vigil for the victims of 1989 Tiananmen Square Clampdown. Earlier in the day, security forces have arrested one of the leaders of the group, Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movement, which organizes the annual remembrances amid local authorities' complaint that Chow Hang Tung has been organizing a vigil despite a ban on public gatherings which have been in place since the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.
Pro-Democracy
Newspaper Publishes Its Last Edition
In
a tragic end to the voice of democracy under an authoritarian rule, Hong Kong’s
Apple Daily is publishing its last edition—both print and online—on June
24, 2021. Its parent company, Next Media, said on June 23, 2021
that it would cease the operation of the newspaper because of “the current
circumstances prevailing in Hong Kong”. Apple Daily was founded by tycoon
Jimmy Lai, now in jail, in 1995. Initially it was a tabloid, but
subsequently took the role of a newspaper, shining, in Mr. Lai’s own words, a “light
on snakes, insects, mice and ants in the dark".
Hong Kong's Largest Pro-Democracy Group Disbands
Civil Human Rights Front, organization behind many of the large anti-government protest rallies in 2019, disbanded itself on August 15, 2021. CHRF announced the decision on its Facebook page that it had become almost impossible to operate since a national security measure had gone into effect in the summer of 2020. Its founder, Figo Chan, is languishing in jail. Many civic groups and rights groups faced similar fate under the increasing crackdown of Hong Kong authorities since the national securities law became effective. Some 76 pro-democracy leaders, politicians and activists are awaiting trial under the national security law. Amnesty International sounded alarm on August 15, 2021 too, saying that Hong Kong's national security law had led to "accelerating" the "disappearance" of many of the city's civic groups.
Dismal
Turnout in Hong Kong’s Legislative Election
Hong
Kong’s
legislative election was held for the first time under a new national security
law that was implemented in mid-2020. The voter turnout in December 19, 2021,
regional poll was a meager 29.28% as of 9:30PM, an hour before the close
of the poll, out of a total of 1,309,601 registered voters. In both 2016
and 2012 elections, the turnouts were more than 50%. A new electoral process has
whittled down the candidate list to a narrower one vetted by authorities in
Beijing and eliminated all but universal suffrage concept.
Pro-Beijing
Candidates Win in Large Numbers in Hong Kong Legislative Polls
A
day after only 30.2% of the registered voters cast their ballots to
choose a new legislative council, authorities on December 20, 2021 did
their best to rationalize the lowest voter turnout since the handover of the
island by Britain to China in 1997. Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam
theorized the low voter turnout, partly, to the higher percentage of voter
registration this year (92.5%) compared to around 70% in both
2012 and 2016. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian
blamed Coronavirus and external sabotage for low voter turnout. As results are
being published on December 20, 2021, it became apparent that the big
winner in the December 19, 2021, Legislative Council poll was pro-Beijing
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. The
main pro-democracy party Democratic Party didn’t field any candidate
this year, first time that had happened since the 1997 handover of the island. The
December 19, 2021, Legislative Council election was held under the most
restrictive environment ever with a new election law in place and under a new
national security law. The number of seats allocated for direct election has
been reduced to 20 from 35 although the Legislative Council capacity has been
increased to 90 from 70. Under the new election law, instigation to boycott
poll or intentional casting of invalid votes will lead to up to three years in
prison and $26,500 in fine.
Hong
Kong Leader to Step down after One Term
Hong
Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, on April 4, 2022 announced that she would not
seek reelection for a second term, effectively ending a 42-year civil service
career that had culminated in 2019 historic pro-democracy movement and a
virulent pandemic had recently devastated the city-state. The new chief
executive will be chosen in May 2022.
Strong
Beijing Protagonist Elected as Hong Kong Chief
An
avowed Beijing loyalist on May 8, 2022 was elected as the chief
executive of Hong Kong. John Lee has received 1416 votes from a
1,500-member Election Commission that is stacked by Beijing loyalists. John
Lee will replace Carrie Lam on July 1, 2022.
Former Archbishop Arrested under Draconian Law
Hong Kong Watch, a U.K.-based rights group, said on May 11, 2022 that a Catholic
cardinal along with others were arrested under the National Security Law
enacted in 2020. Cardinal Joseph Zen, Denise Ho, a singer-actress,
lawyer Margaret Ng, and scholar Hui Pokeung had been detained for their
role in 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund as trustees. The relief fund has a
track record of helping protesters who have participated in 2019
anti-government demonstrations. Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was Hong Kong’s
archbishop before retiring, was livid with his criticism of Vatican’s 2018
agreement with Beijing over appointment of Catholic bishops and priests in
China.
Authorities Clamp down on Hong Kong Vigil to Mark Tiananmen Massacre
Hong Kong authorities, for the third year in a row, bans gathering of people on
the pretext of COVID-19 as June 4 approaches and the protesters want to commemorate
the valor of the martyrs of Tiananmen Square clampdown that had been launched
on June 4, 1989. There was a heavy police presence near the Victoria Park
on June 4, 2022. Although many demonstrators—especially the youths—showed
up at the nightfall with candles, they were quickly dispersed by police
personnel. That majority of the leaders with the organization—Hong Kong
Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China—that commemorates
annually the Tiananmen Massacre are in jails and the organization itself is
dissolved has made coordinating the Tiananmen Protest all the more difficult.
The Tiananmen Protest has been banned in Macau and Hong Kong since
2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liquidation of Failed Developer Ordered by Hong Kong Court
In a searing indictment on China’s real estate-fueled debt load, a Hong
Kong court on January 29, 2024 ordered the world’s most indebted real
estate developer to liquidate as China Evergrande had struggled to
service and structure its $300 billion debt due to banks and
bondholders. Judge Linda Chan was unsparing as she said that “enough is
enough”. China Evergrande Group is part of a broader family of real
estate developers which have collapsed under the bad debt load since 2020 as the
Communist Party of China has perceived them as a threat to an already
faltering Chinese economy. In September 2023, the chairman of China
Evergrande, Hui Ka Yan, was arrested for some “illegal crimes”, thus
complicating efforts to execute on a restructuring plan. After Judge Linda
Chan’s ruling, there was a fear of market rout impacting other real estate
developers. However, China’s largest real estate developer, Country Garden,
and Sunac China Holdings , another key player in the real estate, held up
well—with almost a flat stock price for the former and 2.4% rise for the latter’s
stock price, respectively—as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 0.9%, Shanghai
Composite Index dropped 0.9% and Shenzhen’s A-Share Index fell by
more than 2%, respectively. China Evergrande CEO Shawn Siu clarified that it’s
only the Hong Kong-listed unit of the company that had been ordered to
liquidate as its European and Mainland divisions were independently functioning
units.
Hong Kong Unveils Its Own National Security Bill
As part of China’s National Security Law that applied to Hong
Kong too effective middle of 2020, Hong Kong was expected to come up its own National
Security Law that would complement its federal counterpart. After much
anticipation and long wait, Hong Kong authorities on March 8, 2024,
unveiled its own Safeguarding National Security Bill.
Hong Kong Legislature Passes the Controversial Law
At the urging of Hong Kong’s chief administrator, John Lee, and
political push from Beijing, Hong Kong Legislative Council on March 19, 2024
voted unanimously to enact the Safeguarding National Security Bill. Legislative
Council President Andrew Leung called the unanimous passage of the bill as
a “historic mission”. The law will go into effect on March 23, 2024.
INDONESIA
Plane Crash Kills all 62
Another aviation tragedy involving a Far East-based airline sent shockwave throughout the region and beyond after a Sriwijaya Airlines flight went missing right after take-off from Jakarta's airport in the afternoon of January 9, 2021. The Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 had 62 passengers. Hours later, rescuers had pulled body parts from the Java Sea. Navy divers and rescuers are scouring a choppy Java Sea to search for bodies and the plane's Black Box.
125 Killed in Soccer Violence
A Saturday night (October 1, 2022) soccer match turned out one of
the deadliest sporting events in the world as spectators started rowdy behavior
after the home team loss, leading to policing crackdown and subsequent chaos and
stampede at a stadium in the East Java city of Malang that had led to
deaths of at least 125 people. The match between Arema FC of the Malang
city and Persebaya Surabaya left a trail of blood in Indonesia and
stained its relationship with FIFA. President Joko Widodo ordered a thorough
investigation into the carnage.
Former General tied to Rights Abuses Wins Presidential Poll
A Suharto-era military general, Prabowo Subianto, 72, the current
defense minister of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s cabinet,
won the February 14, 2024, presidential election in the third-largest
democratic nation. Subianto was banned from entering the U.S. for his alleged
link to human rights abuses, which he had vehemently denied. During the Suharto
era, Prabowo Subianto led a special operations division of the Indonesian
military that had been alleged to have perpetrated torture, human rights abuses,
and disappearances involving thousands of people. Subianto is reported to have
defeated two former governors and avoided a runoff by receiving at least 50% of
the overall vote and at least 20% from each province. Defense Minister
Prabowo Subianto inherits a strong economy and political stability from
immensely popular President Joko Widodo, whose son has run as Subianto’s
running mate. Subianto will also oversee the move of the capital from Jakarta
to Borneo at a cost of $30 billion.
EAST TIMOR
East Timor Heading for Presidential Runoff
East Timor’s voters on March 19, 2022 have narrowed down the list of presidential
contenders to a pair of candidates—Incumbent President Francisco Guterres,
67, a former guerrilla leader and leader of Fretilin political
party, and Jose Ramos-Horta of CNRT party, a former president—who will
vie in the presidential runoff to be held on April 19, 2022. There were
16 candidates, including four women, in the fray.
INDIA
Violence over Controversial Law Kills 23
Days after Citizenship Amendment Act was passed, the protest took a sharper edge of violence with a spontaneous participation of millions of youths, students, workers, professionals and teachers among others across the nation and a harsher crackdown by several BJP-ruled states, especially Uttar Pradesh. On December 21, 2019, nine protesters were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh, raising the death toll to 23 since the protest against CAA had begun. The act, according to critics, undermines the very secular fabric of India as it offers citizenship to displaced people of Hindu, Sikh, Farsi and Jain religions--but not Muslims--who have been persecuted in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh and are now seeking asylum in India.
Protest against CAA Intensifying
Tens of thousands of people, especially the students, are taking to streets spontaneously across the nation to demonstrate against Narendra Modi government's Citizenship Amendment Act. The law allows any illegal foreigner, who is Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, Jain and Parsee, to file for citizenship if the applicant can prove that [applicant] has been persecuted for the religious belief in Muslim-dominated Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The law excludes Muslims. The law is being seen as an attack on the secular fabric of India and a direct hit at the constitution of India. On December 27, 2019, floods of protesters hit cities such as New Delhi, the capital, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai and others.
Violence Fill the Streets of Capital during Trump's Visit
As President Donald Trump visited India and flew to Ahmedabad to attend the biggest rally ever that he had addressed, India reeled into violence over Narendra Modi's Citizenship Amendment Act. New Delhi's streets were filled with debris, blood and stones as security forces and youths, most of them were Muslims, fought pitched battles daily beginning with the first day of Trump's visit on February 24, 2020. As of February 26, 2020, at least two dozens were killed in New Delhi alone.
20 Indian Soldiers Killed High in the Himalayas
In the worst brawl with China in more than four decades, Indian Army lost 20 soldiers in hours-long battle in Galwan, high on the Himalayas in Ladakh, on June 15, 2020, in which two sides had used bats, sticks, stones and other hand-held weapons, but no shots were fired. Since the June 15, 2020, tragic border clash, both sides were working militarily and diplomatically to defuse tension. On June 19, 2020, China claimed that disputed area of Galwan belonged to the country as a foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, said that "the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of China-India boundary".
India to Become Most Populous Nation by April 2023 End
In a landmark development and growing challenge, India is to achieve the
so-called milestone of the most populous nation of the world by the end of April
2023 when its population is expected to reach 1.425 billion, first
matching, and then, exceeding the population of an already aging China. U.N.’s
Department of Economic and Social Affairs said on April 24, 2023 in a news
release.
Kashmir at Crossroads after Three Civilians Dead under Detention
That the military carrying out extrajudicial killings in Kashmir in the
name of national security is often concocted is proven wrong at least in the
latest episode when three civilians taken into military custody didn’t return
home alive. The genesis of the latest political escalation happened when Indian
army personnel in two military vehicles were ambushed on December 21, 2023
in Poonch District that had killed four soldiers and injured three
others. Suspecting a strong link between locals and militants, the military
detained eight civilians on December 22, 2023. Apparently all eight were
brutalized in the military custody, leading to the deaths of three civilians.
Their bodies were handed over to the families on December 23, 2023. Although
Indian military pledged to conduct an internal inquiry and cooperate with the
local police inquiry, that was not enough to placate an irate mob of villagers.
Protests were held too in Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar and other major cities in
Jammu & Kashmir.
India to Host World’s Longest, Most Complex Election
India will begin the journey of the world’s largest democratic festival on
April 19, 2024 with polls to be held in seven phases and the results to
be released on June 4, 2024. Five days before the first phase of the
election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, 2024 released the
BJP’s manifesto, formally known as Modi Ki Guarantee, focusing special
emphasis on four key segments of population—women, youth, farmers and
underprivileged Indians.
JAPAN
MYANMAR
PAKISTAN
Pearl Murderer's Sentence Reduced
The British-Pak national responsible for luring The Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl into captivity and then his subsequent slaying received a fresh lease of life as a Pakistani court on April 2, 2020 dropped murder charge against Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. The kidnapping charge carries only 7 years behind the bars, which he has already spent. Daniel Pearl had been kidnapped on January 23, 2002 as he was researching Pakistani extremist groups' link to the shoe bomber Richard Reid. Daniel Pearl was thought to have been beheaded by Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the 9/11 attack architect, who had been captured in 2003 and brought to the Guantanamo Bay.
PHILIPPINES
Duterte to Jettison the Security Deal with USA
Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte administration on February 11, 2020 announced that it would abandon the 69-year-old military pact that it had with the U.S., a clear sign of Manila to pivot the political equilibrium to favor closer ties to Moscow and Beijing. Philippines' foreign secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr., said in a tweet that the termination notice of the Visitors Forces Agreement had been received by the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Manila and would be effective in 180 days.
Fearless Journalist Convicted of Libel
A Filipino-American journalist, Maria Ressa, a frequent critic of Philippines' president, Rodrigo Duterte, and her colleague, Reynaldo Santos Jr., were convicted on June 15, 2020 on a 2012 cyber libel law violation that had been enacted two months after an article critical of a Filipino businessman had been published. The article written by Santos in 2012 n Rappler, headed by Ressa, targeted businessman Wilfredo Keng, tying him to drug smuggling and trafficking. The law can't be applied retroactively, but a minor mistake was made in 2014 when Rappler made a typographical correction to the original story, thus bringing the article under the purview of the law. Wilfredo Keng formally filed a complaint in 2017.
Duterte Faces Heavy Criticism after Pardoning U.S. Marine Convicted of Murder of a Transgender
Massive protest and intense anger broke out among Filipinos after the September 7, 2020, "absolute pardon" by President Rodrigo Duterte of a U.S. Marine, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who had been convicted in 2015 of murder of a transgender woman, Jennifer Laude. Pemberton had arrived at Philippines as part of joint military exercises, and met with Jennifer Laude in October 2014 at a bar in Olongapo City, north of Manila. Jennifer Laude's body was found in a motel, and her murder had become a flashpoint for LGBTQ rights in the country. Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was handed a 10-year sentence, but instead of spending time in the country's crowded and squalid jails, he had spent time in a better prison at the Filipino Army headquarters because of Visiting Forces Agreement. Although Rodrigo Duterte railed against Visiting Forces Agreement, he never sincerely tried to withdraw from it too. Rodrigo Duterte's September 7, 2020, "absolute pardon", not even asked by the U.S., was criticized and lampooned by Filipino opposition, human rights groups and LGBTQ groups. On September 13, 2020, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was deported in a military plane from Philippines.
TAIWAN
Pro-Independence President Wins a Second Term
In a resounding victory, President Tsai Ing-wen won a second term in the January 11, 2020, election by winning a record 8 million votes and 57% of the vote share in a three-way race. Her political party also won the national legislature, or Yuan. Dismissing the so called Hong Kong-style "one country, two systems" political set-up as proposed by Beijing, President Tsai Ing-wen said on January 11, 2020 that "we value the lifestyle of democracy".
JAPAN
Trump, Abe Sign a "Phenomenal" Trade Deal
On the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on September 25, 2019 signed a trade agreement that would open markets for U.S. agricultural and industrial products and enhance digital trade. President Donald Trump's so called the "first stage of a phenomenal new trade agreement" is billed as a game-changer as it will open new markets to approximately $7 billion in U.S. exports and "tariffs will now be lowered or eliminated" on the U.S. beef, pork, wheat, cheese, corn, and other items.
Japan, South Korea Meet after Seoul Agrees to Intel Sharing
USA's two trusted allies were at the brink of collapsing a regional security agreement, General Security of Military Information Agreement, signed in 2016 to facilitate regional security exchanges over Japan's colonial past in Korean Peninsula. South said that it would not participate in the military intel sharing agreement, creating a headache for the U.S. Under heavy pressure from Washington, South Korea on November 22, 2019 budged and retreated from its recalcitrant stand. As G-20 foreign ministerial level meeting ensued at the Japanese city of Nagoya, foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan, Kang kyung-wha and Toshimitsu Motegi, met on the sidelines of G-20 meeting on November 23, 2019, a day after Seoul decided to comply with GSMIA. Their talking points were related to Japanese compensation to forced labors Japanese companies had employed during World War II colonization of Korean Peninsula. Japan insisted that the thorny issued had been addressed after the 1965 Korean-Japanese agreement to drive normalization of relationship that the then-military rulers of South Korea had agreed to with Japanese government.
Also, in a related positive news in Korean-Jap relations, Japanese Trade Ministry announced that it would resume export controls talks after Seoul withdrew its complaint filed in the World Trade Organization.
75th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing Marked with Scaled-down Events amidst Coronavirus
This year bears the special significance in Japanese history as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the first atomic bomb that has killed at least 140,000 people, mostly civilians, in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and 70,000 people in Nagasaki three days later on August 9, 1945. However, due to novel coronavirus pandemic, this year's main event has been scaled down significantly. Only 1,000 people were allowed to attend the main event held in the morning of August 6, 2020 at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. In an emotional speech, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui criticized Japanese government for staying out of a landmark international treaty, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapon, to ban usage of nuclear weapon which was all the more painful as Japan remained the only nation in the world that had taken a blowback by a nuclear weapon. Tokyo refused to sign the treaty that went into effect in 2017 despite its known stand against nuclear weapon.
75th Anniversary of Japanese Surrender Marked by Visits to Controversial Shrine; Repentance
Japan's emperor, Naruhito, on August 15, 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of Japan's capitulation by acknowledging the pain suffered by Japan's neighbors in the war that had been waged in the name of his grandfather, then-Emperor Hirohito. Naruhito added at a ceremony in Tokyo, where social distancing had been maintained due to novel coronavirus, "I earnestly hope that ravages of the war will never be repeated".
Contrary to the tone and style of Emperor Naruhito's speech was Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's unapologetic defense of Japan's colonial past as he lauded the sacrifices of Japanese army personnel and bemoaned Japan's sufferings. After coming to power in 2012, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe focused on positively portraying Japan's colonial past, often irking neighbors such as South Korea, and rebuilding the country's military. However, Abe has not visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo where many of the war criminals are glorified. Shinzo Abe last visited Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013. Before Shinzo Abe, another former Japanese premier, Junichiro Koizumi, visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2006, evoking strong condemnation from other nations. This year, his son, Environment Minister Shinziro Koizumi, visited the controversial shrine and so did three other cabinet ministers of Shinzo Abe government. Enlightened days were gone when a prime minister from a different era, Tomichi Murayarna, a fellow Socialist premier, would apologize in 1995 for Japan's wartime crimes.
Abe to Step Down
Citing his health condition that will require more attention, Japan's longest-serving premier, Shinzo Abe, announced on August 28, 2020 that he would leave his office as soon as ruling party finds his substitute.
Abe's Right-hand Man Wins Support of LDP Leader, to Become Premier
On September 14, 2020, one of the fiercest loyalists of outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was chosen as leader of Liberal Democratic Party. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga will become the premier of the country on September 16, 2020.
Japan, South Korea Meet after Seoul Agrees to Intel Sharing
USA's two trusted allies were at the brink of collapsing a regional security agreement, General Security of Military Information Agreement, signed in 2016 to facilitate regional security exchanges over Japan's colonial past in Korean Peninsula. South said that it would not participate in the military intel sharing agreement, creating a headache for the U.S. Under heavy pressure from Washington, South Korea on November 22, 2019 budged and retreated from its recalcitrant stand. As G-20 foreign ministerial level meeting ensued at the Japanese city of Nagoya, foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan, Kang kyung-wha and Toshimitsu Motegi, met on the sidelines of G-20 meeting on November 23, 2019, a day after Seoul decided to comply with GSMIA. Their talking points were related to Japanese compensation to forced labors Japanese companies had employed during World War II colonization of Korean Peninsula. Japan insisted that the thorny issued had been addressed after the 1965 Korean-Japanese agreement to drive normalization of relationship that the then-military rulers of South Korea had agreed to with Japanese government.
Also, in a related positive news in Korean-Jap relations, Japanese Trade Ministry announced that it would resume export controls talks after Seoul withdrew its complaint filed in the World Trade Organization.
75th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing Marked with Scaled-down Events amidst Coronavirus
This year bears the special significance in Japanese history as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the first atomic bomb that has killed at least 140,000 people, mostly civilians, in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and 70,000 people in Nagasaki three days later on August 9, 1945. However, due to novel coronavirus pandemic, this year's main event has been scaled down significantly. Only 1,000 people were allowed to attend the main event held in the morning of August 6, 2020 at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. In an emotional speech, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui criticized Japanese government for staying out of a landmark international treaty, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapon, to ban usage of nuclear weapon which was all the more painful as Japan remained the only nation in the world that had taken a blowback by a nuclear weapon. Tokyo refused to sign the treaty that went into effect in 2017 despite its known stand against nuclear weapon.
75th Anniversary of Japanese Surrender Marked by Visits to Controversial Shrine; Repentance
Japan's emperor, Naruhito, on August 15, 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of Japan's capitulation by acknowledging the pain suffered by Japan's neighbors in the war that had been waged in the name of his grandfather, then-Emperor Hirohito. Naruhito added at a ceremony in Tokyo, where social distancing had been maintained due to novel coronavirus, "I earnestly hope that ravages of the war will never be repeated".
Contrary to the tone and style of Emperor Naruhito's speech was Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's unapologetic defense of Japan's colonial past as he lauded the sacrifices of Japanese army personnel and bemoaned Japan's sufferings. After coming to power in 2012, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe focused on positively portraying Japan's colonial past, often irking neighbors such as South Korea, and rebuilding the country's military. However, Abe has not visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo where many of the war criminals are glorified. Shinzo Abe last visited Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013. Before Shinzo Abe, another former Japanese premier, Junichiro Koizumi, visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2006, evoking strong condemnation from other nations. This year, his son, Environment Minister Shinziro Koizumi, visited the controversial shrine and so did three other cabinet ministers of Shinzo Abe government. Enlightened days were gone when a prime minister from a different era, Tomichi Murayarna, a fellow Socialist premier, would apologize in 1995 for Japan's wartime crimes.
Abe to Step Down
Citing his health condition that will require more attention, Japan's longest-serving premier, Shinzo Abe, announced on August 28, 2020 that he would leave his office as soon as ruling party finds his substitute.
Abe's Right-hand Man Wins Support of LDP Leader, to Become Premier
On September 14, 2020, one of the fiercest loyalists of outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was chosen as leader of Liberal Democratic Party. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga will become the premier of the country on September 16, 2020.
Parliament Approves Abe's Right-hand Aide as Premier
In a foregone conclusion, both the powerful lower house of parliament and more titular upper house on September 16, 2020 passed a vote of confidence in Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as Japan's next prime minister. Bowing several times to express his gratitude amidst several rounds of applause and claps, Mr. Suga, son of a farmer and self-made political influence-peddler, promised to protect the interest of rural communities and pursue, more or less, the same policies of his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, who had resigned to take care of his health.
First Meet between Biden Admin Officials and Japanese Officials Sounds Unity Note
In a sharp departure from Trump administration's sound-and-fury approach, Biden administration's top two officials held a "two-plus-two" security talks in Tokyo on March 16, 2021. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had met with their counterparts--Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi--in the first in-person session between Biden administration and Japanese administration of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. A joint statement issued after the session called for Beijing to respect human rights in Xinjiang and refrain from "unlawful maritime claims and activities in the South China Sea".
Suga not to Rerun for Party Head
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told the LDP executives on September 3, 2021 that he would not seek the presidency of the party, setting the stage for his eventual departure as premier. Suga cited his full-time attention to fight against the surging COVID-19 in Japan as the reason for not seeking the party presidency. The campaign for the party head of Liberal Democratic Party will begin on September 17, 2021, and the election will be held on September 29, 2021. Yoshihide Suga is now the president of LDP.
Former Diplomat to Lead the Ruling Party, Become De facto Premier
Former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on September 29, 2021 won the internal vote of the Liberal Democratic Party by defeating the popular vaccination minister Taro Kono by 257-170 votes. In an earlier round, there were a total of four candidates, including two women. Kishida defeated Kono in the first round by a single vote, but failed to get a majority of votes. Fumio Kishida's becoming prime minister is now a mere formality as LDP dominates the both chambers of Japanese parliament and, as head of the ruling party, he is all but poised to become the country's prime minister.
Ruling Party Wins a Comfortable Majority in Parliamentary Polls
In the October 31, 2021, parliamentary polls, ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its ally, Komeito, won 293 seats. In the 465-member lower house of parliament, LDP received 261 seats, 15 seats less. The opposition bloc of five parties received 10 seats less as the inclusion of Japanese Communist Party had backfired. Main opposition party, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, has lost 13 seats, and its new tally is 96. JCP lost two seats to 10. The big winner in the October 31, 2021, parliamentary election is the right-wing Ishin, or Japan Innovation Party, that garnered 41 seats, quadrupling the number of seats it had won the last time and ranking as the third-largest political party in the parliament.
Shinzo Abe’s Assassination on Campaign Trail Shocks the Nation with Rare Gun Violence
On July 8, 2022, Japan was utterly shocked by the callous and cold-blooded assassination of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe was campaigning for a ruling party candidate in the July 10, 2022, election for the upper house of the parliament. Abe was addressing a rally at a rail station, Yamato-Saidaiji train station, in Nara when he was shot at least twice from behind. He was pronounced dead after he was taken to a hospital. Security forces tackled the alleged gunman, Tetsuya Yamagami, a former navy who had used a home-made gun to fire shots on Abe. The gunman’s motive was weird as he believed that Abe belonged to a group that was intent on hurting people. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida returned to Tokyo from campaign trail and vowed to press ahead with the polls to upper house of parliament. Leaders from all around the world expressed their condolences over the untimely death of former premier.
Ruling Party Wins Convincingly Two Days after Former Premier’s Killing
In the July 10, 2022, polls in 125 seats of the upper house of Japanese parliament, ruling Liberal Democratic Party is projected to win at least 69 seats along with its junior coalition partner, Komeito. The election is being held in the aftermath of the shocking assassination of Former Premier Shinzo Abe. Every three years, half of 248-seat upper house goes into poll. This year, there was an additional seat that went to the poll.
Abe Honored amidst Protest
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attended the official funeral of slain ex-Japanese premier Shinzo Abe on September 27, 2022. Normally Japan stays away from state funeral. This time it was different. With pomp and prestige, Abe was given a state funeral, costing taxpayer money, and reviving the Japan’s imperial glorious tradition. There were protests organized against the funeral. Harris was seated beside U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emmanuel. Attendees includes several foreign dignitaries and Japanese Crown Prince Akishino. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida defended government action to hold state funeral, saying that Abe deserved it all.
Japan Publishes New Security Strategy that Calls for Advanced “Counterstrike” Capabilities
On December 16, 2022, Japan published its very radical national security strategy alongside two defense strategies. The new national security strategy replaces the decades-old Japanese security protocol that complies with a 1956 government policy of ending counterattack policy. The new document calls for building out the long-range missile capacity as part of an “unavoidable minimum defensive measure”. U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emmanuel praised Japan’s new security strategy, describing it as a “momentous milestone".
Failed Attack on Japanese Premier Raises Alarm
A young man on April 15, 2023 hurled an explosive object at the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida who was about to address at a campaign rally in the western prefecture of Wakayama for byelections to be held to fill five parliamentary seats next weekend. The premier escaped unscathed. The attack, an eerie resemblance of the assassination of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has come weeks before Japan is to host G-7 summit in the third week of May 2023.
Three-way Summit to Strengthen South Korea-Japan Relations
As the U.S. is facing a complex geopolitical situation in Indo-Pacific theater, it’s ever more important to corral the Seoul-Tokyo relationship to a new elevation point. As part of the effort, President Joe Biden is hosting South Korean President Yoon Sook Yeol and Japanese Premier Fumio Kishida in Camp David on August 18, 2023 to have an opportunity to discuss and dissect a fast-evolving situation in Korean Peninsula and beyond. A joint communique will be issued at the conclusion of Camp David.
South Korea and Japan are on the mend as their relationship of yesteryear has often been biased by Japanese Imperialism’s World War II-era colonization drive and related excesses. South Korea’s conservative president, Yoon Sook Yeol, is intent to patch up any outstanding dilemma for the common good.
Trilateral Agreement Binds the Allies to Talk during Crisis
In a historic summit at Camp David, President Joe Biden met with South Korean President Yoon Sook Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on August 18, 2023. They issued a joint communique, also known as the “Camp David Principle”, pledging that the allies would “promote and enhance peace and stability throughout the region”. Allies also decided to open a communication hotline to have talks going during crisis.
White House Fetes Japanese Premier with State Dinner
In a sign of growing bond between Washington and Tokyo, President Joe Biden on April 10, 2024 hosted Japanese Premier Fumio Kishida in a lavish state dinner at the White House. Biden White House sees the Quad, a strategic alliance among the U.S., India, Japan and Australia, a new pivotal platform to drive regional and international leadership in the Indo-Pacific Theater. Japan supports the U.S. in almost all the regional and international issues, including Ukraine and North Korea. However, one sore point that emerged recently was President Joe Biden’s opposition to Nippon Steel’s acquisition bid of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.
MALAYSIA
Bellwether Election Gives Optimism to Longtime Ruling Political Party
A state election in Malaysia’s south is bellwether for the 2023 general election. Ruling United Malays National Organization, which lost power in 2018 general election after a reign of 61 years of continuous rule since Malaysia had won independence from British Empire in 1957, returned to the coalition government after the opposition coalition collapsed in 2020 following the withdrawal of Bersatu Party. Bersatu Party chief Muhyiddin Yassin became the eighth prime minister of Malaysia after forming an alliance with UMNO, Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party and several other small political parties. Muhyiddin Yassin was forced to resign in August 2021 as a result of infighting, and his deputy, Ismail Sabri Yaakob of UMNO, became the eighth premier of this strategic Far East nation. Although UMNO and Bersatu are the largest two political parties in the current ruling coalition, they are at loggerheads. The state election in Malacca gave an opportunity for both the federal ruling partners to test out waters before the 2023 general election. In the November 20, 2021, state election, UMNO swept with 21 out of 28 assembly seats, followed by Bersatu’s two seats and Anwar Ibrahim-led party’s five seats.
MYANMAR
U.N. Investigator Dubs Myanmar not Conducive to Return of Rohingya Refugees
U.N.'s independent investigator for Rohingya crisis, Yanghee Lee, on October 4, 2019 submitted a damning report to the U.N. on the safety of return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar's western Rakhine state. The report said in unflattering terms that the state remained "dreadful" and any of the more than 913,000 Rohingya refugees, now staying in temporary camps in Bangladesh, would not be safe upon return to Rakhine.
Military Coup in Myanmar Raises Alarms for Regional Instability
On February 1, 2021, Myanmar's military carried out a power take-over from the civilian-led government and put State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Mynt under house-arrest. The military-controlled Myawaddy TV announced that the military was taking control over the helms of affairs of the country, citing a clause of military-drafted constitution of 2008 that had reserved 25% of the parliamentary seats for military nominees and allocated key portfolios to military-backed ministerial candidates. Country's military alleged that November 8, 2020, parliamentary election had been filled with fraud and malpractices. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy made a clean sweep in the November 8, 2020, parliamentary election, winning 396 seats out of 476 seats in the fray in both upper and lower houses. Myanmar's Union Election Commission last week rejected military's complaints about massive vote manipulation and malpractices. The new parliament was supposed to open on February 1, 2021, but hours before, military moved in and took over power. The communication access in the capital, Naypyitaw, was cut off and many of the NLD's Central Executive Committee members and lawmakers were taken to custody. The condemnation from the west was swift, with Biden administration's chief diplomat, Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken, issuing a statement in Washington, D.C. that called on Myanmar's military to "release all government leaders and civil society leaders" and "respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in the democratic elections on November 8". White House Spokeswoman Jen Psaki called for immediate restoration of democracy.
Demonstrations against Coup Spreading, International Support Sought
On February 5, 2021, about 300 politicians from the ruling National League for Democracy issued a joint appeal, uploaded on the party's Facebook page, asking the international community to recognize a panel they had created to continue carrying out the functions of the parliament, impose targeted sanctions and cut business ties with military-allied enterprises. Meanwhile, protesters overcame their fear and emerged on the streets to protest against the coup. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on February 5, 2021 implored Myanmar's junta to do the "reversal of the coup".
Military Blocks Access to Social Media, Internet as Protests Spread
Days after blocking access to social media platform Facebook, Myanmar's military cut off the access to Twitter and Instagram on February 5, 2021 as protesters began to use social media to organize demonstrations against February 1, 2021, coup. On February 6, 2021, country's junta cut off access to the internet as the anti-military protest spread to new areas and increased in intensity.
Myanmar’s
Military Impose Curfew, Other Restrictions
As Myanmar’s
people, especially the country’s youth, are getting bold and have begun to
express their outrage against the February 1, 2021, military coup, junta
is taking more and more drastic measures to try to suppress the protest. First,
they have cut off the access to social media platform and internet, and now
they are resorting to old tactics of clamping down curfew and other restrictive
measures. Hours after authorities used water cannons to disperse thousands of
demonstrators in the capital, Naypyitaw, on February 8, 2021, an
8 PM to 4 AM curfew was announced in parts of Yangon and the
second-largest city, Mandalay. In addition, junta on February 8, 2021
announced a ban on gathering and rallies of more than 5 people in the two
largest cities of Myanmar. However, junta is taking a case by case approach for
individual cities.
Biden Imposes Sanctions on Military
As tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets across Myanmar on February 10, 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden took the first concrete step to punish the junta who had usurped the constitution by orchestrating a coup on February 1, 2021, declared a state of emergency for a year and put many political leaders, including the most recognizable political face of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest or behind the bars. As part of the sanctions regime announced on February 10, 2021, the access to $1 billion in assets in the U.S. will be cut off for senior military leaders of Myanmar's military although the pipeline for healthcare help and other aid to civilians will be kept open and flowing. Biden warned the military that "we will be ready to impose additional measures" in collaboration with "our international partners".
U.N. Body Calls for Release of Suu Kyi, Other Political Prisoners
U.N. Human Rights Council on February 12, 2021 passed a resolution calling for freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders of Myanmar, but only after diluting a stronger anti-junta resolution under pressure from China and Russia. The initial resolution called for appointing a U.N. human rights expert to scrutinize the situation in Myanmar and restraint by the military. The 47-nation council doesn't have any enforcement power, but can help chart international response to abuses such as in Myanmar. U.S. recently joined the U.N. Human Rights Council after Joe Biden became the president and reversed a Trump-era 2018 move to withdraw Washington from the council.
Crackdown Intensifies as Protest Grows in Size and Scale
Military authorities continued crackdown on protest leaders and activists with renewed vigor on February 13, 2021 as the junta led by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing showed little willingness to give up power as demanded by the international community. Thousands of demonstrators poured on the streets across the nation on the birth anniversary of Gen. Aung San, father of the country's most influential political personality, Aung San Suu Kyi. The protest movement against February 1, 2021, military usurpation of the civilian rule meanwhile grew in size and scale, with protesters taking to streets in newer areas on daily basis.
Armored Personnel Seen on the Streets as U.S., Other Nations Condemn the Military Crackdown
On February 14, 2021, there were multiple sightings of military armored carriers in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, reminding the nation's elders the dark old days of military regime when democratic rights and freedom of expression were of an afterthought. During the day, U.S., Canada and 12 European nations issued a joint communique, showing solidarity with the "people of Myanmar in their quest for democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity". The nations' February 14, 2021, joint statement implored the military regime to refrain from violence against those "protesting the overthrow of their legitimate government". Meanwhile, Myanmar's common people are scared of more than 23,000 criminal convicts released by the junta as part of amnesty and returned to the communities as reports have emerged of excesses and terrorizing of many communities by these thugs who many have accused of playing the dirty game of the military.
Army Warning against General Strike; Funeral Held for the First Victim of the Protest Movement
On February 21, 2021, an umbrella group of the protest movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, called for a general strike on Monday (February 22, 2021) demanding that the junta restore the civilian rule. The announcement of the strike stirred the junta which issued a statement on the state-owned MRTV under the auspices of State Administration Council, threatening the opposition to "avoid a confrontation path where they will suffer the loss of life". Military vehicles were sighted in the largest city of Myanmar, Yangon, blaring from mike warning against participating in Five Twos--implying the date of February 22, 2021--or "Spring Revolution" at the urging of Civil Disobedience Movement. Also on February 21,2021, the funeral of the first martyr of the protest movement was held at Naypyitaw. Mya Thwet Thwet Khine was shot in the head by security forces at a February 9, 2021, demonstration at the capital and she succumbed ten days later on February 19, 2021, eight days after her 20th Birthday.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on February 21, 2021 issued most blunt warning to date by any U.S. official, tweeting that U.S. would take meaningful action "against those who perpetrate violence against the people of Burma".
General Strike Turns Successful as Defiance against Army Grows
That the threat of crackdown and physical harm will not scare Myanmar's population anymore has become crystal clear on February 22, 2021 as a day-long general strike has led to stores being shuttered, employees staying away from the work, students and teachers from schools, grocery stores closing for a day and transportation services coming to a screeching halt. The scenes have been repeated across various cities, including two largest cities--Yangon and Mandalay--as well as the capital, Naypyitaw. Large demonstrations have been held during the day across the country demanding that military restore democratic rule immediately.
Funeral Held at Mandalay as Protesters Return to Streets
A day after a successful general strike forced the Southeast Asian country into a screeching halt, tens of thousands of protesters returned to the nation's streets on February 23, 2021 with vigor and determination. A funeral was held during the day at Mandalay for 37-year-old Thet Naing Win, who and another teenager were killed by soldiers on February 20, 2021 as they were supporting the dock workers.
At least 18 Killed in the Deadliest Day
February 28, 2021 turned out to be the bloodiest protest day in Myanmar since a junta took over power on February 1, 2021 and detained most of the civilian office-holders and political leaders, including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's president, Win Mynt. According to the Democratic Voice of Burma, an independent media company with a significant digital market dominance, at least 18 people were killed on February 28, 2021, with security forces taking a harsher stand compared to past several days. U.N. Human Rights Office cited several cities, including Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Myeik, Bago and Pokokku, that had been hit hard as "live ammunitions" were "fired into crowds". U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the indiscriminate firings and arrest of peaceful protesters.
Six Journalists Charged
Amidst an ever growing growing resistance by protesters and an equally harsh crackdown by the ruling junta, the authorities are now trying to suppress the media coverage of unprecedented daily demonstrations in protest against the February 1, 2021, coup. On March 2, 2021, authorities charged six journalists, including The Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw, for causing fear among public, knowingly spread false news and instigate against the government. The charges have been brought under a law that often is used to stifle political dissent.
At least 34 Killed in Myanmar
Myanmar suffered the bloodiest day on March 3, 2021 as the security forces escalated the crackdown on protesters. At least 34 protesters were reported killed during the day in various parts of the country. The high death toll may bring in fresh scrutiny of military's treatment of the Burmese people to the international community.
U.S., U.N. Condemn Bloodshed, Protesters Remain Undaunted
Unafraid of the bloodiest crackdown a day earlier and with the death toll from the March 3, 2021, violence now rising to at least 38, protesters on March 4, 2021 returned to the streets of Myanmar's big cities and small towns alike to decry the February 1, 2021, military coup and subsequent crackdowns. The protest movement remains resilient and defiant, even in the face of the bloody crackdowns in the recent days. On March 4, 2021, Biden administration condemned the brutal crackdown a day earlier. The special U.N. envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, called the violence unacceptable and March 3 as "the bloodiest day" since takeover. Also on March 4, 2021, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged all nations with "information and influence" to hold the junta accountable for gross abuses.
Protesters
Defy Night Curfew to Rally behind Students Cornered by Security Forces
After
about 200 protesters were cornered by the security forces in a part of Yangon
and the night curfew timeline began at 8PM, demonstrators on March 8, 2021
emerged on the streets, defied the curfew and rallied behind the trapped
demonstrators. Meanwhile, authorities decertified the press credentials for
five media outlets on March 8, 2021 for extensively covering the protest
demonstrations. The five media outlets are Mizzima, DVB, Khit Thit Media,
Myanmar Now and 7Day News. Many reporters have been detained while
covering the protest movement, and at least half a dozen have been charged on
the counts of a public order law that is broadly used to shame and suppress the
protest movement and journalists who are covering them.
U.N. Security Council Calls for Reversal of Myanmar Military Usurpation
On March 10, 2021, U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a statement by 15-0 vote that called for a reversal of the February 1, 2021, coup, country's military to show "utmost restraint" and release of political leaders such as State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Myanmar's chief political and economic benefactor China also has voted for the Presidential Statement, which is a notch lower than a resolution. The U,K.-drafted proposal also condemns the bloody crackdown by the junta.
AP Journalist Continues to Languish in Jail
The Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw received another raw deal on March 12, 2021 from a Yangon court as he was ordered to be under continued pre-trial detention, setting back any chance of an early release. Thein Zaw was one of the nine journalists arrested on February 27, 2021 while covering an anti government demonstration in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon. Thein Zaw and at least six other members of media profession have been slapped with a public disorder law.
At least 40 Reporters Detained since February 1 Coup
That the junta will stop at nothing in cutting off the access to communication coming out of Myanmar via independent media has become clear one more time on March 19, 2021 as two journalists have been picked up from a courthouse in the capital, Naypyitaw, Mizzima News reported on March 19, 2021 that one of its former reporters, Than Htike Aung, and Aung Thura, BBC News' Burmese language service reporter, had gone to the courthouse to cover the proceeding of Win Htein, a senior leader of National League for Democracy. Since February 1, 2021, coup, junta arrested at least 40 journalists, giving a dent to an impartial and unbiased news coverage of civilian unrest in Myanmar.
Myanmar's People Repose Huge Expectation in U.N., Official says
The U.N. official in charge of Myanmar, humanitarian coordinator Andrew Kirkwood, said on March 20, 2021 that the country's people had "a huge expectation on the United Nations, with the entire international community" to bring back the democratic functioning.
Hundreds Freed from Prison in Myanmar
In a surprise, but conciliatory, gesture, Myanmar's military authorities on March 24, 2021 released hundreds of prisoners, including The Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw, arrested since February 1, 2021, coup. Also, on March 24, 2021, protesters resorted to an innovative mode of protest by staging "silence strike" by staying home and shuttering the stores.
U.S., U.K. Announce Separate Sanction on Holding Companies Deemed Lifeline to Junta
On March 25, 2021, U.S. and U.K. targeted two holding companies for stiff sanctions as they were seen key to providing sustenance to the military regime. U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Myanma Economic Holdings Public Co. Ltd. and Myanmar Economic Corp. Limited. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a statement during the day, calling both companies as "vital lifeline for the military junta". Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control may make individual waivers, though, for various entities under the holding companies.
U.K. on March 25, 2021 separately imposed sanctions only against Myanma Economic Holdings Public Co. Ltd. Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said that "today's sanctions target the military's financial interests".
Meanwhile, on March 25, 2021, the military crackdown expanded to other provincial capitals such as Hpa-an of southeastern Karen State, Taunggyi of the eastern Shan State and Mawlamyine of the southeastern Mon State.
320 Reported Dead Since the Coup
A rights group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, said on March 26, 2021 that about 320 people were killed in Myanmar since the February 1, 2021, coup. However, the actual death toll is likely to be lot higher.
More than 100 Killed in the Single Bloodiest Day of Crackdown
As Myanmar's military observed the 76th Armed Forces Day on March 27, 2021 with a parade in Naypyitaw, country's administrative seat, security forces spilled bloods of protesters and civilians, including many children, on the streets in cities and towns across the southeast Asian nation in the bloodiest crackdown since the February 1, 2021, coup. According to Myanmar Now, an online portal, 114 people were killed, eclipsing the previous high of 75 to 90 killed on March 14, 2021. The sheer degree of bloodshed and fatalities evoked an immediate international outcry. European Union's delegation to Myanmar said on Twitter: "The 76th Myanmar armed forces day will stay engraved as a day of terror and dishonor". U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken sharply condemned the killing of peaceful protesters, tweeting: "we are horrified by the bloodshed perpetrated by Burmese security forces, showing that the junta will sacrifice the lives of people to serve the few".
Burmese Soldiers Open Fire at Funeral, Elsewhere Nine Killed in Violence
As if it was not enough to spill the blood on the Burmese streets, the state security forces opened fire on March 28, 2021 at a funeral of a 20-year-old student, Thae Maung Maung, who had been killed on the bloodiest day (March 27, 2021) of the protest movement, in the city of Bago. A media outlet, Myanmar Now, reported the incident of security forces opening fire at the funeral of Tae, who belonged to All Burma Federation of Student Union, an outfit renowned for opposing the military rule. Elsewhere on March 28, 2021, at least nine people were killed in anti-junta protest, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
U.S.
Suspends Trade Agreement with Myanmar
The
office of the U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai issued a statement
on March 29, 2021, declaring that “all U.S. engagement with Burma under
the 2013 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement” would be suspended
until democracy was restored.
Myanmar's Junta Announces a One-month Ceasefire
Myanmar's ruling junta on March 31, 2021 has announced that it would observe a 30-day truce, but with a caveat: the unilateral month-long cease-fire will not apply to cases of disruption to administrative operations and government's security.
U.N. Special Envoy Stresses on Implementing ASEAN's "Five-Point" Consensus Plan
U.N. Special Envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, on April 30, 2021 reported back to the U.N. Security Council virtually from Bangkok on the ground situation in Myanmar, which she described as "pushed to the edge", with people unified to resist the junta, civil services employees determined to put pressure on the military regime by adopting strikes and pandemic having "compounded" the ground conditions. Christine Schraner Burgener attended the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in Jakarta on April 24, 2021. Myanmar is a member state of ASEAN. Christine Schraner Burgener met on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting with junta's topmost commander, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. U.N.'s special envoy also met separately with the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam as well as ASEAN's secretary general, Lim Jock Hoi, and amplified the collective concern raised by the U.N. Security Council with each of these nations' leaders as well as ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi. ASEAN leaders came out with a five-point plan aimed at resolving the crisis faced by Myanmar. U.N. is backing the five-point plan.
U.N. General Assembly Condemns Junta
The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly on June 18, 2021 voted a non-binding resolution that strongly condemned the February 1, 2021, coup, subsequent repression and violent crackdown. The resolution also called for an arms embargo and restoration of democracy in Myanmar. The resolution was initially thought to be international community's effort for a unanimous measure as part of an agreement between the Core Group that included European Union and western nations and 10-nationa ASEAN, but Belarus demanded a vote. That threw cold water to the prospect of a unanimous resolution that rest of the world was agreeable to. 119 countries voted for the resolution, Belarus was the sole objector and 36 nations, including China, Russia and India, abstained from voting. Even there was a split within 10-nation ASEAN. Myanmar's U.N. ambassador, a holdout from the civilian government, voted in favor of the resolution along with Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Philippines, while Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei abstained. U.N. Special Envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, warned the General Assembly that the large-scale civil war was real in Myanmar.
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on 22 Senior Officials, Family Members
That the U.S. is tightening the noose around the neck of junta is becoming increasingly clear, but human rights groups want Washington and the west to take more drastic steps to force the junta to cede powers and restore civilian rules. On July 2, 2021, U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on seven key military figures and 15 relatives of officials who had been earlier put under a sweeping set of sanctions. The announcement of sanctions on 22 key officials, spouses and children coincided with Biden administration's Treasury Department's lifting of sanctions on three Iranian industrial executives.
Myanmar's Junta Chief Becomes Premier; Pledges to Hold Election in Two Years
On the six-month anniversary of the coup, junta leader Ming Aung Hlaing on August 1, 2021 declared himself as the prime minister of the country and said that he would rule the country under state of emergency, clamped since the February 1, 2021, overthrow of a democratic administration, until a "free and fair multiparty general election" was held in August 2023. During a nationally televised address, Ming also said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nation, or ASEAN, during its April 2021 summit decided to name an envoy to Myanmar and, as part of that decision, out of a three-candidate slate, named Thailand's former deputy foreign minister, Virasakdi Futrakul, as the group's envoy.
In a separate incident, junta officially nullified the last year's general election on July 27, 2021 and appointed a new election commission to oversee the process related to the 2023 general election. The overthrow of the democratic regime led to violent clashes in which at least 939 people had been killed, according to a tally compiled by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners.
Myanmar
Frees Political Detainees
In
the run-up to the auspicious three-day Lighting Festival scheduled to
begin October 19, 2021, Myanmar’s ruling junta on October 18, 2021
announced immediate release and suspending of charges of about 5,600 political prisoners swept up
in the months-long anti-military demonstration. Relatives are shown weeping as
they have been reunited with their loved ones after the political prisoners
have exited from buses near Yangon’s Insein Prison.
Torture Returns to Myanmar as Military Consolidates Its Authority
The Associated Press on October 28, 2021 previewed a scary, brutal and regressive methodology being pursued by Myanmar's military when dealing with political activists and common people. Physical and psychological tortures, once a military staple in the pre-democracy era, reared its head, but in a more brutal manner. The Associated Press chronicled the scale and severity of tortures in a vivid way based on the interviews with 28 people arrested and released as well as three military personnel who had deserted recently. The Associated Press masked fully or partially the identities of the prisoners. The jailing and tortures have occurred across all the regions and ethnic groups. According to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 9,000 people were detained in Myanmar's prison system since the February 1, 2021, coup. 1,218 people were killed, including 131 under detention. The detainees included people from walks of life, including a monk, and all age groups, including a 16-year-old girl. A recently deserted military captain, Lin Htet Aung, who had defected from the country's military, or Tatmadaw, in April 2021, told The Associated Press that "torture, violence, and sexual assaults" were commonplace under military detention system.
Last week, country's junta announced release of more than 1,300 prisoners and suspending of charges against 4,320 others. However, it is not know how many prisoners have been released or how many people's charges have been suspended so far.
U.S.
Puts Pressure on Myanmar after AP Findings of “Systematic Torture”
A
day after The Associated Press’ finding on “systematic torture” came to
light, U.S. State Department on October 29, 2021 issued a critical
statement, saying that “we are outraged and disturbed by ongoing reports of the
Burmese military regime’s use of ‘systematic torture’ across the country”. The U.N.
special rapporteur for Burma, Tom Andrews, said in a statement that the AP
report had shed an important light on the “scope and systemic nature of the
junta’s criminal torture campaign".
Myanmar Releases American Journalist
An American journalist, Danny Fenster, who had been languishing in a Myanmar jail for the past six months, was released by junta on November 15, 2021, and was now en route to the USA. Fenster is the managing editor of the online publication Frontier Myanmar, and has been convicted on November 12, 2021 on charges of contacting illegal organizations, spreading false or inflammatory information and violating visa rules. Danny Fenster, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison, was one of the more than 100 journalists that junta had detained since ousting the civilian government.
International
Leaders Blast Conviction of Democracy Icon
A Burmese
court on December 6, 2021 convicted former dissident leader, Nobel Peace
Laureate and one-time democracy icon—now fallen from grace because of her stoic
silence and, worse, her complicity to the military’s scorched-earth policy toward
the Rohingya population in the western Rakhine State—Aung San Suu Kyi on
two counts of charges, sentencing her to four years in prison, promptly reduced
to two years. U.N., U.S., EU and others criticized the sentencing. U.S.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken issued a statement on December 6,
2021, calling for her freedom.
Outrage,
Anger Mount over Killings in Myanmar
A
video went viral on December 8, 2021 showing the brutal killings of 11
villagers in the country’s northwest. The incident reportedly had happened
on December 7, 2021 at the village of Done Taw in the Sagaing
region on December 7, 2021. The villagers were allegedly killed by military
personnel and later their remains were burned.
Dozens
Killed, Burned in Myanmar Military Offensive
The
Associated Press
reported on December 25, 2021 a Christmas Eve massacre in eastern
Myanmar in which military personnel rounded up villagers, including children
and women, and fatally shot at least 30 and burned their bodies. The charred
bodies of villagers from Mo So village, just outside the Hpruso
township in the eastern Kayah state, were found with hands tied,
implying that they had been killed execution-style. The villagers were fleeing
their village for a refugee camp to evade a military onslaught after a convoy
of vehicles carrying rebels from Karenni National Progressive Party
failed to stop at a checkpoint and engaged with the Burmese soldiers in a
firefight on December 24, 2021.
Outrage
Directed at Military after Photos of Burned Vehicles Spread over Social Media
On December
26, 2021, international outrage grew exponentially against Myanmar’s junta
after photos of charred vehicles, with burned bodies of at least 30 people
inside the vehicles, including children and women, had spread over social
media. International aid agency Save the Children said on December
26, 2021 that two of its staffers were caught in the military offensive and
remained missing. The U.S. Embassy in Myanmar issued a statement on
December 26, 2021, saying that it had been appalled by the “barbaric
attack in Kayah state that killed at least 35 civilians, including women and
children".
U.N.
Calls for a “Thorough” Investigation
U.N.
Humanitarian Affairs Chief Martin Griffith on December 27, 2021 issued a statement calling for a “thorough and
transparent investigation into” Christmas Eve massacre in the Kayah State.
Hun Sen’s Myanmar Visit Evokes Domestic, International Criticism
Although cloaked under mediating a regional bloc’s five-point plan
to bring peace, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s two-day (January
7-8, 2022) visit to Myanmar has drawn fire from critics as they see
it as legitimizing a pariah state whose military leadership has ousted a
civilian government and imposed, in its place, an iron-clad, autocratic rule. Hun
Sen holds the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, or ASEAN, which has proposed a five-point plan last year to
bring about a cease-fire. The five-point ASEAN plan includes, among
others, a halt to violence, opening talks with the opposition on a peaceful
resolution and permission for a special envoy to mediate among parties. Cambodian
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be the special ASEAN envoy,
dismissed the criticism of domestic and international groups against the
Cambodian premier’s visit. Prak Sokhonn said on January 3, 2022 that the
“political and security crisis in Myanmar is deepening”, necessitating the January
7-8, 2022, visit of Hun Sen.
Innovative Way to Mark First Anniversary of the Coup Planned
Through social media and other technology platforms, disparate groups of
protesters are coordinating to organize a nationwide protest to mark the first
anniversary of the coup in Myanmar. On February 1, 2022, there will be
an innovative way of protesting against the junta that involves a six-hour
silent strike from 10AM to 4 PM followed by a concerted rambunctious protest by
banging pots and pans, or honking cars. Meanwhile, a day before the coup
anniversary, country’s security forces were detaining dozens of protest
activists and leaders.
Myanmar’s “Silent Strike” a Huge Success
On February 1, 2022, Myanmar’s people have observed a spontaneous
and overwhelming “silent strike” from 10AM to 4PM. Almost all the
vehicles were off the roads, major thoroughfares in major cities wore a
deserted look and stores across the nation were shuttered. Although the junta
had tried its best to suppress people’s movement on numerous occasions over the
past year, leading to deaths of more than 1,500 peoples, the people’s
power proved indomitable at the end with the country shut down on the first
anniversary of the coup. The “silent strike” will increase the resolve
of the protesters and fuel their effort to strive for added determination to
restore democracy.
Hundreds of Houses in a Pair of Villages Alleged to have been Burned down
by Military
The Associated Press reported on February 3, 2022 that on the eve of the first
anniversary of the coup, Myanmar’s military had carried out raid in two villages
in the northwestern Sagaing region. Before the military left the
villages of Mwe Tone and Pan after the January 31, 2022,
raid that had targeted armed militia, they burned down hundreds of houses in
both villages.
Suu Kyi Faces 11th Charge of Corruption
A state-owned newspaper, The Global New Light of Myanmar,
reported on February 4, 2022 that an additional charge of corruption had
been slapped on democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, bringing the total
counts against her to 11. Democracy activists and international
observers condemn authorities for bringing cooked-up charges as they were aimed
at preventing the Nobel Laureate from returning to political arena.
Aung Saan Suu Kyi Goes for Election Fraud Trial; Junta to Skip Key
Regional Meeting
Myanmar’s iconic democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 14,
2022 began another journey of political tribulation as an election fraud
trial began during the day. The election fraud count had been slapped by the country’s
junta-backed election commission in November 2021. Suu Kyi has been
sentenced to six years in prison on other criminal counts. Beginning a new
trial on election fraud only signifies junta’s stubborn approach to deny the
democracy leader any option from returning to political arena. On the
diplomatic front, junta has decided not to send any representative to this week’s
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) meeting at Cambodia
as the regional group requested Naypyidaw to send a non-political
representative instead of its official representative.
Four Burmese Political Prisoners Hanged
The state-run Mirror Daily reported on July 25, 2022 that
authorities had carried out executions against four political prisoners for
involvement in terrorist and treasonous activities. The U.N. and Cambodia,
which holds rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, or ASEAN, have appealed for clemency for the four political
figures—Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former lawmaker for Aung Saan Suu Kyi-led
National League for Democracy; Kyaw Min Yu, a 53-year-old democracy
activist; Hila Myo Aung; and Aung Thura Zaw—but the appeal has
fallen on deaf ears of junta. Phyo Zeya Thaw, the former lawmaker, was
convicted by a military court in January 2022 of possessing explosives,
helping in bombings, and supporting terrorism. Kyaw Min Yu was convicted
of violating the nation’s counterterrorism laws, and the remaining two were
convicted of murdering a woman, alleged to be a government informer, in March
2021.
Myanmar’s Civil Rights Icon Sentenced to Six Additional Years
A court in Myanmar on August 15, 2022 convicted civil rights
leader Aung Saan Suu Kyi on four counts of corruption charges,
and sentenced her to six years in prison. The sentencing is in addition
to another 11 years given in a prior trial.
Four Foreigners among 6,000 Prisoners Released
Myanmar’s state-run MRTV reported on November 17, 2022 that the authorities
were in the process of releasing 5,774 prisoners to mark the country’s National
Victory Day. Among the prisoners being released are four foreigners: Australian
academic Sean Turnell, an Associate Professor of Economics at Sydney’s Macquarie
University and, during the time of arrest, serving as an adviser of democracy
leader Aung Saan Suu Kyi; Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota, arrested on
July 30, 2022 as he was videoing some protest movement; British citizen
Vicky Bowman, 56, a former ambassador and who was running a business
consultancy business, arrested for not registering her business; and naturalized
American citizen Kyaw Htay Oo, who returned to the nation of his
birth in 2017 and was arrested in September 2021 on terrorism charges.
Four Foreigners among 6,000 Prisoners Released
Myanmar’s state-run MRTV reported on November 17, 2022 that the authorities
were in the process of releasing 5,774 prisoners to mark the country’s National
Victory Day. Among the prisoners being released are four foreigners: Australian
academic Sean Turnell, an Associate Professor of Economics at Sydney’s Macquarie
University and, during the time of arrest, serving as an adviser of democracy
leader Aung Saan Suu Kyi; Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota, arrested on
July 30, 2022 as he was videoing some protest movement; British citizen
Vicky Bowman, 56, a former ambassador and who was running a business
consultancy business, arrested for not registering her business; and naturalized
American citizen Kyaw Htay Oo, who returned to the nation of his
birth in 2017 and was arrested in September 2021 on terrorism charges.
According to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, or AAPP,
16, 232 people have been detained on political charges after the military
coup on February 1, 2021. Of those detained, 13,015 were still in
detention as of November 16, 2022, according to AAPP. At least 2,465
people were killed by the security forces during the same period.
Suu Kyi Receives Seven Years on Corruption Case
Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung Saan Suu Kyi on December 30, 2022
received seven years of imprisonment for corruption on five counts.
Accumulating sentences from the previous corruption, sedition, and other cases,
the 77-year-old democracy icon faces a combined 33 years behind bars.
Junta Leader Announces Pardons, Election Plan
Marking the 75th Independence Day of Myanmar, the military regime
head, Ming Aung Hiang, on January 4, 2023 pardoned 7,012 of
prisoners, along with partial commutation for other leaders, and asked the
nation and the world to support the “genuine, discipline-flourishing multiparty”
election, most likely, to be held later this year.
Myanmar’s Army Drops Thermobaric Bomb on an Opposition Gathering
Human Rights Watch said on May 9, 2023 that Myanmar’s military had used an “enhanced-blast”
munition known as a fuel-air explosive on April 11, 2023 against people
who had assembled at the village of Pazigyi in Kanbalu Township in Sagaing
region of Myanmar. The Thermobaric bomb, or the vacuum bomb,
was reported to have killed at least 160 people. The Associated Press
published a photo provided by the Kyunhla Activists Group, showing the
scale devastation in the aftermath of the attack. Myanmar’s military didn’t
deny the incident, instead saying that it had conducted an operation against
anti-government forces who were planning on a campaign of terror.
Myanmar’s Democracy Leader’s Sentence Reduced
Myanmar’s ruling junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on August 1, 2023
reduced the sentences of more than 7,000 political prisoners, including some of
the most high-profile leaders such as democracy leader and Nobel Laureate Aung
San Suu Kyi and former civilian President Win Myint.
Suu Kyi still must serve 27 years of prison. She was initially sentenced
to 33 years of imprisonment.
NEPAL
Peace Agreement Signed with Rebel Communists
In a historic move, Nepalese government of Prime Minister Khagda Prassad Oli on March 5, 2021 signed a peace deal with a rebel Communist group, paving the way for peace and disarming of the rebels. Prime Minister Khagda Prassad Oli was photographed holding and lifting hands up in the air with the leader of Nepal Communist Party, Netra Bikram Chand. Oli called the peace agreement as a potential vehicle for the Himalayan nation to enter "a peaceful era". Nepal Communist Party was part of Maoist Communist Party from 1996 to 2006 and fought against the government. NCP was formed after MCP signed a deal with the government to end all violent struggles and resolve all outstanding issues through negotiation. Altogether, more than 17,000 people were killed in years-long violence, tens of thousands injured and many more displaced. Under the March 5, 2021, peace agreement, Nepalese government will lift the ban on the Nepal Communist Party, release its members and drop related political charges. In exchange, Nepal Communist Party will shun violence and adjudicate any grievance through non-violent means.
Nepal’s Aid Package from the U.S. Draws Stiff Opposition
Opposition in Nepal is rising over the half-a-billion-dollar aid
package that Biden administration is giving Nepal as part of the Himalayan
nation’s development. Many political groups, including Communists, are opposed
to Washington’s aid package as they fear that America will now have more
leverage in Kathmandu’s power structure and will eventually deploy American
soldiers on Nepalese soil as part of emboldening the U.S. security strategy in
the Indo-Pacific region. Nepalese parliament on February 27, 2022 approved
the package after a brief debate, according to parliament’s speaker, Agni
Prasad Sapkota. Security forces used bamboo baton to beat up the demonstrators
during the day as protesters assembled near the parliament building to decry
the parliamentary approval of the aid package.
Worst Plane Crash in Nepal Kills 68
The worst air crash in Nepal happened on January 15, 2023 as an
ATR 72 aircraft operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines flying from Kathmandu
with 68 passengers—including 15 foreigners—and four crew members crashed into a
gorge as it was about to land in the newly constructed Pokhara International
Airport at Pokhara, 125 miles west of the capital. At least 68 people were
reported killed and four were missing when search was called off at the
nightfall.
NORTH KOREA
Nuclear Talks with U.S. Break down
The first talks between U.S. and North Korean officials since February 2019 summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong In in Vietnam, collapsed as spectacularly as the February summit level talks. The talks were held on October 5, 2019 at Stockholm. North Korea's chief negotiator, Kim Miyong Gil, said that the talks had "not fulfilled our expectations and broke down". The eight-and-half-hour negotiation held at the Villa Elfvik Strand conference facility in Lindingo, an island in the Stockholm archipelago, had raised a flicker of hope for reconciliation and pause of missile testing three days after October 2, 2019, North Korean missile testing from an underwater submarine.
North Korea Feels a Sense of "Betrayal"
North Korean mission in the U.N. issued a statement on November 22, 2019, bemoaning that it didn't gain anything other than a "sense of betrayal" from the U.S. and warning that it was fast losing patience. The statement added that it had a "number of actions" in its disposal.
Talking with the U.S. a "Foolish Trick"
North Korea on December 3, 2019 sharply rebuked Trump administration for trying to buy time through so called "sustained and substantial dialogue", and vowed to deliver a "Christmas Gift" if Washington didn't provide substantial economic relief by dropping its "hostile policy". North Korea's vice foreign minister, Ri Thae Song, called the U.S. ploy of continued talks as a "foolish trick". North Korea usually chooses significant days to carry out tests. On July 4, 2017, Pyongyang carried out its first ICBM test, the Hwasong-14, and Kim Jong Un, boasted at that time that the country had delivered a "gift package" on the American Independence Day. On November 28, 2019, Thanksgiving Day, North Korea tested two projectiles from what it called the "super large multiple rocket launcher", marking the 14th test of short-range missile this year.
North Korea Likely to Charter a New Path
An undated photo showing Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, riding on white horseback in the snow-covered mountain of Mount Paektu was released by North Korean media on December 4, 2019, marking the first time Kim's return to the "revolutionary battle sites" since October 2019. As Pyongyang is fuming over US' reluctance to lift crippling sanctions on the country since Kim has put a hold on nuclear and ballistic missile testing in April 2018, North Korea has been mulling over giving a "Christmas Gift" to the USA. To charter the future action of the Communist regime, the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea decided on December 4, 2019 to hold the fifth plenary session of the 7th Central Committee in the late December 2019.
North Korea Dismisses "Denuclearization" Talks; Conducts a "Very Important Test"
In a flurry of incidents on December 7, 2019, North Korea took swipes at Washington on both diplomatic and [arms] testing fronts. North Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Kim Song released a statement during the day blasting USA's "hostile policy" and reiterated that the "denuclearization" talks off the table as the U.S. didn't ease up on the sanctions on Pyongyang. Also, Kim Song's statement refuted Trump administration's continuing claim of ongoing "sustained and substantial dialogue" as nothing but for domestic political consumption.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea on December 7, 2019 had conducted a "very important test" at its long-range rocket launch site and reported back the results to the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party.
North Korea Must Denuclearize, Trump Says
A day after North Korea conducted a "very important test" at its re-constructed long-range rocket launch site and North's U.N. ambassador issuing statement denouncing any denuclearization talks, President Donald Trump said on December 8, 2019 that North "must denuclearize". Trump's national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, appearing on December 8, 2019 on the CBS' Face the Nation, added: "we hope they make the right choice" and denuclearize.
U.S. Ambassador Warns against North's Any "Deeply Counterproductive" Move
USA's U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft on December 11, 2019 gave a stern message at the U.N Security Council that any ratcheting-up of tension by Pyongyang would be "deeply counterproductive" as the yearend deadline issued by North Korea for easing up of U.S. economic sanctions loomed large. Although Pyongyang carried out 13 ballistic missile launches since May 2019, it had put a moratorium on nuclear testing and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches.
Second "Crucial Test" in as Many Weeks
North Korea's Academy of Defense Science said on December 14, 2019 that Pyongyang had carried out a "crucial test" at a re-constituted test range, second such test in a week. Korean People's Army's general staff chief, Pak Jong Chon, also claimed that North had built "tremendous power".
North Will Never Give up Security, Kim Tells the Plenary Session
Despite failing to delivering a "Christmas Gift" as the December 25 passed by, North Korea's bellicose stand didn't take a break as the four-day (December 28-31, 2019) Fifth Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers Party pledged to carry on upgrading its weapons arsenal and not to give up its security for economic assistance. Addressing the session, Kim Jong Un dismissed any idea of U.S. demand for denuclearization.
North Korea Launches Two Short-range Missiles
North Korea launched two short-range missiles at the local time 6:45AM on March 21, 2020 from a site at Sonchon in the west. According to a statement released by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles flew 255 miles cross-country before plunging in the sea off the eastern coast.
North Launches Several Missiles
A day after news emerged that Kim Jong Un's powerful sister had returned to the ruling party's political bureau, Pyongyang on April 14, 2020 carried out a series of ground-based and air-to-surface missile launches into its waters off the eastern coast of North Korea.
North Korea Feels a Sense of "Betrayal"
North Korean mission in the U.N. issued a statement on November 22, 2019, bemoaning that it didn't gain anything other than a "sense of betrayal" from the U.S. and warning that it was fast losing patience. The statement added that it had a "number of actions" in its disposal.
Talking with the U.S. a "Foolish Trick"
North Korea on December 3, 2019 sharply rebuked Trump administration for trying to buy time through so called "sustained and substantial dialogue", and vowed to deliver a "Christmas Gift" if Washington didn't provide substantial economic relief by dropping its "hostile policy". North Korea's vice foreign minister, Ri Thae Song, called the U.S. ploy of continued talks as a "foolish trick". North Korea usually chooses significant days to carry out tests. On July 4, 2017, Pyongyang carried out its first ICBM test, the Hwasong-14, and Kim Jong Un, boasted at that time that the country had delivered a "gift package" on the American Independence Day. On November 28, 2019, Thanksgiving Day, North Korea tested two projectiles from what it called the "super large multiple rocket launcher", marking the 14th test of short-range missile this year.
North Korea Likely to Charter a New Path
An undated photo showing Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, riding on white horseback in the snow-covered mountain of Mount Paektu was released by North Korean media on December 4, 2019, marking the first time Kim's return to the "revolutionary battle sites" since October 2019. As Pyongyang is fuming over US' reluctance to lift crippling sanctions on the country since Kim has put a hold on nuclear and ballistic missile testing in April 2018, North Korea has been mulling over giving a "Christmas Gift" to the USA. To charter the future action of the Communist regime, the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea decided on December 4, 2019 to hold the fifth plenary session of the 7th Central Committee in the late December 2019.
North Korea Dismisses "Denuclearization" Talks; Conducts a "Very Important Test"
In a flurry of incidents on December 7, 2019, North Korea took swipes at Washington on both diplomatic and [arms] testing fronts. North Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Kim Song released a statement during the day blasting USA's "hostile policy" and reiterated that the "denuclearization" talks off the table as the U.S. didn't ease up on the sanctions on Pyongyang. Also, Kim Song's statement refuted Trump administration's continuing claim of ongoing "sustained and substantial dialogue" as nothing but for domestic political consumption.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea on December 7, 2019 had conducted a "very important test" at its long-range rocket launch site and reported back the results to the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party.
North Korea Must Denuclearize, Trump Says
A day after North Korea conducted a "very important test" at its re-constructed long-range rocket launch site and North's U.N. ambassador issuing statement denouncing any denuclearization talks, President Donald Trump said on December 8, 2019 that North "must denuclearize". Trump's national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, appearing on December 8, 2019 on the CBS' Face the Nation, added: "we hope they make the right choice" and denuclearize.
U.S. Ambassador Warns against North's Any "Deeply Counterproductive" Move
USA's U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft on December 11, 2019 gave a stern message at the U.N Security Council that any ratcheting-up of tension by Pyongyang would be "deeply counterproductive" as the yearend deadline issued by North Korea for easing up of U.S. economic sanctions loomed large. Although Pyongyang carried out 13 ballistic missile launches since May 2019, it had put a moratorium on nuclear testing and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches.
Second "Crucial Test" in as Many Weeks
North Korea's Academy of Defense Science said on December 14, 2019 that Pyongyang had carried out a "crucial test" at a re-constituted test range, second such test in a week. Korean People's Army's general staff chief, Pak Jong Chon, also claimed that North had built "tremendous power".
North Will Never Give up Security, Kim Tells the Plenary Session
Despite failing to delivering a "Christmas Gift" as the December 25 passed by, North Korea's bellicose stand didn't take a break as the four-day (December 28-31, 2019) Fifth Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers Party pledged to carry on upgrading its weapons arsenal and not to give up its security for economic assistance. Addressing the session, Kim Jong Un dismissed any idea of U.S. demand for denuclearization.
North Korea Launches Two Short-range Missiles
North Korea launched two short-range missiles at the local time 6:45AM on March 21, 2020 from a site at Sonchon in the west. According to a statement released by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles flew 255 miles cross-country before plunging in the sea off the eastern coast.
North Launches Several Missiles
A day after news emerged that Kim Jong Un's powerful sister had returned to the ruling party's political bureau, Pyongyang on April 14, 2020 carried out a series of ground-based and air-to-surface missile launches into its waters off the eastern coast of North Korea.
North Korea Blows up Liaison Office, South's Unification Minister Resigns
South Korea's Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul submitted his resignation on June 19, 2020, and President Moon Jae-in accepted it. Kim has been serving as the head of Korean unification portfolio since April 2019, and is leaving without holding a single meeting with North Korean officials. Kim stated in a farewell address to the department employees that his resignation would provide a new "opportunity" to engage with North Korea. Kim's resignation came three days after a June 16, 2020, made-for-TV explosion to rage a liaison office built on the northern border village Kaesong. The liaison office worked as a communication and diplomatic bridge between two Koreas and was seen as a sure progress in relations between two Koreas. However, North Korea in recent months have taken a much aggressive posture against South Korea for continued economic sanctions, propaganda campaign by a section of South's military personnel and activist groups as they had sent anti-North fliers across the border and lack of progress in inter-Korean relations. North Korean authorities blew up the liaison office in a made-for-TV show on June 16, 2020. North Korea also announced that an agreement with Seoul signed in 2018 was now null and void.
Kim
Introduces New ICBM in the Parade
Carrying
out his December 2019 vow to unveil soon a “new strategic weapon” to the
world, Kim Jong Un took advantage of October 10, 2020, massive
national event to mark the 75th anniversary of founding of the
ruling political party to introduce a new, more advanced ICBM, and pledged to “fully
mobilize” against any nation if threatened.
South’s
Intel: Two Executed, Fishing Banned, Capital under Lockdown as Kim Gets Anxious
Two
South Korean lawmakers told reporters on November 27, 2020 that South
Korean national intel agency, National Intelligence Service (NIS), had
updated country’s lawmakers hours earlier that two North Koreans were executed
in recent days. A money-changer, blamed for precipitous fall in North Korea’s
currency, was executed in October 2020, and a second person, thought to
be a government official, was executed in August 2020 for violating the import
rules. One lawmaker, Ha Taekeung, quoted the NIS that North Korea had
also banned sea fishing and salt manufacturing to protect sea water from
getting contaminated as well as a lockdown was ordered in the capital city of Pyongyang.
A second lawmaker, Kim Byung-kee, citing NIS update, said that the anxiety
was rising among Kim Jong Un and higher echelon of ruling elite in the light
of Trump’s departure in less than two months. Although Kim bragged that not a
single case of coronavirus had been identified in North Korea, that seemed to
be far from true. North Korean economy had plunged deeper as it had shut down
its border with its primary trading partner and benefactor, China, in January
2020 to stop the spread of coronavirus.
North Korea Holds Crucial Ruling Party Congress, Unveils a New Sub-bases Ballistic Missile
Ruling Workers Party held a crucial Congress this week, and took stock of a grim socio-economic situation that had stemmed from Coronavirus pandemic, a staggering U.S.-led economic sanctions regime that had put a chokehold on the North Korean economy and a mismanaged--acknowledged in the Congress no other than by Kim Jong Un himself--national economic plan. The Congress concluded on January 14, 2021. On January 15, 2021, KCNA broadcast a military parade held a day earlier after the conclusion of the party Congress that had showcased Pyongyang's military might. The repository of weapons displayed during the parade included a new version of submarine-based ballistic missile, Pukguksong-5. North Korea on October 2, 2019 test-fired a 1 Pukguksong-3 ballistic missile with a range of 1,200 miles from a submarine.
North Korea Snaps Diplomatic Ties with Malaysia
In a diplomatic rash madness, Pyongyang on March 19, 2021 cut off diplomatic ties with Malaysia in response to a Malaysian court's verdict earlier in March 2021 to extradite a North Korean, Mun Chol Myung, to stand trial in the U.S. on charges of money-laundering. Korean Central News Agency quoted a North Korean foreign ministry statement that blasted Malaysia as acting in "subservience to the U.S. pressure".
Malaysia Expels North Korean Diplomats
That the Malaysian-North Korean tension is about to worsen and fall into a new low over a March 17, 2021, extradition to the U.S. of a North Korean man living in Malaysia on charges of money laundering has proven itself out as Malaysian authorities on March 21, 2021 ordered all the North Korean diplomats and their families to leave the country immediately. Malaysia's foreign minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, said on March 21, 2021 that the decision of the government was taken in response to North Korea's "unilateral and utterly irresponsible" decision taken on March 19, 2021 to sever all diplomatic ties with Putrajaya.
North Korea Launches Two Projectile
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on March 25, 2021 that North Korea had launched two projectiles into eastern sea. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga identified the projectiles as ballistic missiles.
That the U.S. President Joe Biden's April 28, 2021, speech at the joint session of Congress didn't sit well with Pyongyang became clear on May 2, 2021 as North Korea threatened to mete out "a very grave situation" to America. A senior Foreign Ministry official, Kwon Jong Gun, said that the U.S. chief executive made a big blunder" after Biden told the joint session of Congress that Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs had posed "serious threats" to the world. Kwon Jong Gun called out the Biden administration's continued "hostile policy toward the DPRK". Appearing hours later on the ABC's This Week, Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, defended the administration's policy as "not aimed at hostility, but aimed at solutions".
Separately, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong on May 2, 2021 criticized South Korea's inaction in the face of mass distribution of anti-Pyongyang leaflets even after a law had been recently passed to criminalize any effort to distribute propaganda leaflets via balloons or by any other means from the South. The leader of a powerful group of North Korean defectors, Park Sang-hak, acknowledged on April 30, 2021 that he had sent 500,000 propaganda leaflets by balloon last week, in defiance of a new law barring such activities.
Communication Resumed after Two Years on 68th Anniversary of Armistice
Two Koreas exchanged messages on July 27, 2021, 68th anniversary of the Armistice that had brought truce to the 1950-53 Korean War, but technically had not ended it, for the first time since their communication cadence broke down two years ago. Liaison officers on both sides of the world's most fortified border exchanged several messages, including one over the military hotline, during the day and promised to continue keeping the communication streams flowing. On July 27, 2021, South Korean President Moon Jae-in's office and North's official KCNA acknowledged that both Moon and Kim Jong Un traded letters since April 2021. South Korean President's office emphasized on efforts to "restore mutual confidence and develop relationship again as soon as possible". North's Korean Central News Agency said that the focus would be on making a "big stride in recovering the mutual trust and promoting reconciliation by restoring" the cut off inter-Korean liaison lines. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the resumption of the communication between the two Koreas, and implored them to work towards "the improvement of their relationship, sustainable peace and complete and verifiable de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula".
North Korea Reported to have Resumed Nuclear Reactor
The Wall Street Journal reported on August 29, 2021 that North Korea had resumed operations, according to an annual report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor to produce Plutonium. The reactor was taken offline in December 2018 and, according to the IAEA report, starting in early July 2021, "there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor". Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy for North Korea Sung Kim said on August 28, 2021 that U.S. held no hostile intent against Pyongyang and the joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises were regular.
IAEA's Annual Report on Yongbyon Raises "Serious Concern"
The Associated Press reported on August 30, 2021 the "serious concern" raised by International Atomic Energy Agency's annual report dated August 27, 2021 that, based on the satellite imagery, indicated resumption of nuclear activity in a 5-megawatt reactor in the Yongbyon nuclear complex. The report said: "Since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor". The report also highlighted the resumption of operation at Yongbyon's radiochemical laboratory between mid-February to early-July this year. The laboratory is a key facility where Plutonium is extracted from the spent fuel rods. Yongbyon supports both Plutonium- and Uranium-based nuclear functions. IAEA report, dated August 27, 2021, says: "(North Korea's) nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern. Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the 5-megawatt reactor and radiochemical laboratory are deeply troubling".
North Korea Test-fires Cruise Missiles
North Korea's official mouthpiece, Korean Central News Agency, reported on September 13, 2021 that Pyongyang had test-fired cruise missiles on September 11, 2021 and September 12, 2021. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the military was analyzing the data gleaned by the U.S. and South Korea. KCNA has said that the missiles are part of a "strategic weapon of great significance" that meets the security vision of its leader, Kim Jong Un. The missiles, in the making for the past two years, have hit targets 932 miles from the test site, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea Ready to Resume Talks with South if Certain Conditions Met, Kim's Sister Says
In response to South Korean President Moon Jae-in's call for a declaration of termination of 1950-53 Korean War during a speech at the U.N. General Assembly, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, issued a statement on September 24, 2021 that needled Seoul, but nonetheless expressed Pyongyang's willingness to resume talks with South Korea if South could persuade U.S. to loosen its crippling sanctions. The statement read that "smiling a forced smile, reading the declaration of the termination of the war, having photos taken could be essential for somebody, but I think that they would hold no water and change nothing, given the existing inequality, serious contradiction therefrom and hostilities". South Korea's re-unification ministry said later that it was carefully reviewing the statement carried by North's official media.
North Claims Test-firing A "Hypersonic Missile"
North Korea on September 29, 2021 said that it had successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile in the early hours of September 28, 2021.
Kim Orders Communication Lines with South Korea Restored
North Korea said on September 30, 2021 that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had ordered officials to open stalled communication lines with their South Korean counterparts effective October 2021. Meanwhile, U.S., France and U.K. convened an emergency U.N. Security Council session to discuss on North's recent missile test.
North
Korea Claims Another Missile Test-fire; U.N. Security Council Meets for an
Emergency Session
On October
1, 2021, North Korea said that it had carried out an anti-aircraft
missile test-fire, fourth such test in recent days. There was no
confirmation of this anti-aircraft missile test either from the U.S., or South
Korea, or Japan. Also, the U.N. Security Council on October 1, 2021 met for
an emergency session to discuss on North Korea’s recent missile tests.
U.S. Source of Tension in Korean Peninsula, Says Kim
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on October 11, 2021 visited a military exhibition to mark the 76th anniversary of the ruling Workers Party--the party was founded on October 10, 1945--and accused the U.S. of pursuing policy that had created tension in the Korean Peninsula. He was seen talking with other North Korean officials near a gargantuan ballistic intercontinental missile. Kim during his speech tried to drive a wedge between the U.S. and South Korea, and vowed that Korean people would not turn against each other again. Kim's speech and the event at the exhibition were covered by the official KCNA on October 12, 2021.
North Korea Test-fires Submarine-based Ballistic Missile
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement on October
19, 2021 that North Korea had tested at least one short-range ballistic
missile from a submarine off the waters near the eastern port of Sinpo
and Seoul along with Washington was analyzing the data. Separately, Japan’s
military said that North Korea test-fired two missiles. Japan’s new premier, Fumio
Kishida, said that the authorities were examining whether the missiles were
submarine-launched. Kishida also ordered Japan’s military to review the defense
posture, including the pre-emptive strategy as “we cannot overlook” the recent
North Korean activities and their “impact on the security of Japan and the region".
U.S. Envoy Calls on Pyongyang to Join Talks
The U.S. envoy for North Kora, Sung Kim, on October 24, 2021 had a cordial and comprehensive discussion at Seoul with South Korean officials five days after North Korea had carried out a ballistic missile test from a submarine. Later, Sung Kim publicly called on Pyongyang to "engage in dialogue" instead of "these provocations and other destabilizing" activities. Sung Kim also stressed on the U.S. willingness for meeting with "DPRK without preconditions". The South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, said that they had an "in-depth" discussion on how to bring a sustainable peace to Koran Peninsula and, as part of that effort, he broached the topic of Seoul unilaterally declaring the end of 1950-53 Korean War.
Kim
Pushes for Defense Ramp-up Plan, Continuation of COVID Restrictions
During
the five-day plenary session of the ruling party days ago, North
Korean leader Kim Jong Un focused on pushing “forward with our national
defense build-up plans”, continuing with rigid COVID-19 restrictions and
achieving economic self-reliance. The state-owned Korean Central News Agency
reported on January 1, 2022.
North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missile
In another significant leap towards the goal of hastening the "task of modernizing strategic armed force of the state", North Korea on January 6, 2022 carried out a hypersonic missile test. Korean Central News Agency, North Korea's official mouthpiece, said on January 6, 2022 that the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party had expressed "great satisfaction" at the results of the missile test.
North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missile
The state-owned Korean Central News Agency reported on January 12,
2022 that Pyongyang had successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile on January
11, 2022.
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Seven People for North Korea’s the Latest
Missile Test
The U.S. Treasury Department on January 12, 2022 imposed
sanctions on five North Korean officials—one based in Russia and the remaining
four based in China—for their roles in procuring equipment and technology used
in the January 11, 2022, missile test. The U.S. State Department,
separately, imposed sanctions on a North Korean, a Russian and a Russian
company for the January 11, 2022, missile test. The state-owned KCNA on January
12, 2022 reported a successful hypersonic missile test witnessed by North
Korea’s supremo, Kim Jong Un, and other officials, including Kim’s sister, Kim
Yo Jong. Kim Jong Un reportedly called the test success as heralding a new
era of perfecting the so called “war deterrent".
North Korea Test-fires Two Missiles in Response to U.S. Sanctions
Two days after the U.S. imposed sanctions for carrying out a hypersonic
missile test on January 11, 2022, North Korea launched two
short-range ballistic missiles on January 14, 2022. South Korea’s Joint
Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles, launched 11 minutes apart, took
off from a facility in the western North Pyongan Province, flew
cross-country and landed in sea. Hours earlier, North Korea berated U.S. for
imposing sanctions on seven individuals and a Russian entity for Pyongyang’s
successful hypersonic missile test on January 11, 2022.
North Korea Launches Two Cruise Missiles
North Korea on January 25, 2022 test-fired two cruise missiles, marking the
fifth time that Pyongyang had conducted the missile test in recent days.
The state-owned media said that the missiles had flown about 932 miles and had
been launched off the launcher trucks.
Pyongyang Conducts Sixth-Round Missile Test
North Korea on January 27, 2022 upped the ante by an additional notch by
test-firing a pair of short-range ballistic missiles, sixth time it had
carried out such test this month.
North Korea Conducts the Most Powerful Missile Test
Displaying the might of a revered inventory of missiles and the related launching
technology, North Korea on January 30, 2022 conducted a missile test
that flew for about 30 minutes, reached an altitude of 1,240 miles and
traversed about 500 miles eastward before plunging in the sea. The test is the
mightiest ever by Pyongyang.
North’s Missile Can Reach American Guam, Experts say
Korean Central News Agency on January 31, 2022 reported that the
most potent missile launched a day earlier was a success in achieving the “accuracy,
security and effectiveness” expected from the operational reliability of “Hwasong-12
type weapon system under production”. According to South Korean and Japanese
reports, the Hwasong-12 missile, last tested in 2017, had flown about 497
miles and reached an altitude of 1,242 miles before splashing into
waters of Korean Peninsula and Japan.
U.S. Calls for Special U.N. Security Council Session North Korea’s Missile
Test
That the U.S. is feeling uneasy over North Korea’s January 30, 2022, Hwasong-17
ballistic missile test—the most powerful test ever by Pyongyang—is clearly
evident as the U.S. Mission to the U.N. on February 1, 2022 asked for a
closed-door Security Council session for February 3, 2022. The U.N.
Security Council initially imposed sanctions on the reclusive nation in
2006 after Pyongyang had carried out nuclear test, and the regime of sanctions
and moratoriums had tightened since then, but none of them was successful in
halting, leave alone reversing, North’s nuclear and weapons program.
Foreign Ministers Express Collective Concern over North Korea’s Weapon
Tests
That the Ukrainian crisis does not distract world’s attention from
another key hot spot is the main driver coming out of a tri-lateral meeting
among top diplomats from the U.S., Japan and South Korea. On February 13,
2022, Anthony Blinken met in-person with his Japanese and South Korean
counterparts, Yoshimasa Hayashi and Chung Eui-Yong, respectively, at
Honolulu. Appearing before the reporters after the session, Blinken
accused Pyongyang of pursuing a “phase of provocation”. The three foreign
ministers released a joint statement, calling on North Korea to engage in
dialogue and cease its “unlawful activities".
North Korea Conducts Eighth Missile Test
North Korea on February 27, 2022 carried out a missile test,
marking the eighth time this year that Pyongyang had conducted the missile test,
the latest one by taking advantage of the crisis over Ukraine. According to Japan’s
defense minister, Nobuo Kishi, the missile traveled 190 miles at the
maximum altitude of 370 miles. The missile splashed into the international
waters east of North Korea. Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi
called Pyongyang’s missile test as “absolutely unforgivable”. South Korea’s top
officials met at an emergency session of the National Security Council to
discuss the situation. South Korea’s Presidential Blue House issued a
statement, saying that the missile test “is not desirable at all for peace and
stability in the world and on the Korean Peninsula”. The U.S. Indo-Pacific
Command later on February 27, 2022 condemned the missile testing.
Pyongyang is leveraging the west’s preoccupation, especially Washington’s, over
Ukrainian crisis to sharpen its arsenal of ballistic missiles and other
weaponry that it may later use as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from
the west.
U.S. Imposes Sanctions after North Korea’s Recent Test
U.S. on March 11, 2022 imposed sanctions on three Russian companies—Apollon,
Zeel-M and RK Briz—and two individuals after Pyongyang’s March 4,
2022, test of parts of the largest ballistic missile, Hwasong-17, in
its arsenal. The companies are key to North Korea’s weapons program. Company
officials Aleksandr Andreyevich Gayevoy, the director of Apollon,
and Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Chasovnikov, director of Zeel-M and RK Briz,
were also slapped with the U.S. Treasury Department sanctions. North
Korea on March 4, 2022 carried out its ninth missile test this year.
North Korea Carries out the Biggest ICBM Test
North Korea on March 24, 2022 tested out the biggest Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile that had a range of 670 miles and could rise as high as
3,850 miles.
North
Korea’s Kim Threatens Nuclear Action against “Hostile Forces”
The
state-run Korean Central News Agency said on April 30, 2022 that the
nation’s supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, had urged the country’s military at
a massive military parade earlier in the week to continue developing nuclear
arsenal so that Pyongyang could “preemptively and thoroughly contain and
frustrate all threatening moves, including ever-escalating nuclear threats from
hostile forces”. North Korea conducted 13 tests, including a few that involved advanced weapons, in 2022 alone.
North
Korea Test-fires SLBM
Days
before conservative Yun Sook-Yeol takes over South Korea’s presidency, North
Korea on May 7, 2022 has launched a short-range ballistic missile from a
submarine. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that, at 2:07PM
local time, a Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile, or SLBM, was
test-fired from near the coast of Sinpo that subsequently traveled 373 miles
into Sea of Japan, or East Sea. On May 4, 2022, North Korea was reported
to have launched a medium-range ballistic missile.
North Korea Fires 3 Ballistic Missiles
As part of the continuation of mark-up activities involving missile
testing, North Korea on May 12, 2022 carried out tests by launching
three short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.
U.S. Resolution Vetoed by Russia, China
The U.N. Security Council on May 31, 2022 voted 13-2 in favor of a U.S. resolution that would have imposed a series of sanctions on North Korea for Pyongyang's recent ballistic missile tests. Since Russia and China have veto powers as permanent council members, the resolution didn't find the necessary muster to become effective.
North Korea Preparing for Nuclear Test
U.S. Special Envoy for North Korea Sung Kim on June 3, 2022 met with his
counterparts from South Korea and Japan at Seoul. Sung Kim
has also cautioned the world that North Korea “is preparing at its Punggye-ri
test site” to conduct the seventh nuclear test since it has conducted its first
nuclear test in 2006. Its sixth nuclear test was conducted in 2017.
Funakoshi Takehiro, Japan’s director-general for Asian and Oceanian
Affairs, called for a robust international response to North’s upcoming nuclear
test. Kim Gunn, South Korean counterpart of Sung Kim, emphasized
on trilateral cooperation to give a unified response to North Korea. This year (2022)
alone Pyongyang has carried out a total of 17 rounds of missile tests.
North Korea launched its 18th round of missiles on June 5, 2022.
U.S., South Korea Hold Live-fire Drills in Response to Firing of North’s
Eight Missiles
In a single-day record, North Korea on June 5, 2022 launched eight
short-range missiles into sea from at least four locations in a quick
succession over 35 minutes. In response, U.S. and South Korea launched at least
eight ballistic missiles on June 6, 2022, matching North Korean
scale of missile launches.
South Korean President Vows to Take Stern Measures against North's Weapons Program
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on June 6, 2022 at the country’s main Memorial
Day program that Seoul in concert with its regional and international allies
would “sternly respond to any kind of North Korean provocation". President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stern warning to Pyongyang came on the same day when U.S. and South
Korea had launched eight Army Tactical Missile System (ATMS) missiles—one
American and seven South Korean—into sea in a span of 10 minutes.
North Korea’s Missile Flies over Japan, South Korean Missile Blows up
during Drill
On October 4, 2022, North Korea sent shiver through the spines of
Japanese people as a likely ballistic missile flew over Japan in a successful
test launch. A day after, during a joint U.S.-South Korea military drill, a
ballistic missile malfunctioned, and crashed on the ground. The October 5,
2022, missile mishap near the coastal city of Gangneung, fortunately,
didn’t kill or injure anyone.
North Korea Carries out Sixth Missile Test in Two Weeks; U.S. Sends
Battleship
North Korea on October 6, 2022 launched two ballistic missiles,
22 minutes apart, towards the eastern sea, marking the sixth round of missile launches
in two weeks. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that the
country’s military in response ramped up the security posture and military
readiness. Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said that the missiles
launched on October 6, 2022 had traveled 217-500 miles at an
altitude range of 30-60 miles and fallen outside Japan’s Exclusive
Economic Zone. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called Pyongyang’s
action as “absolutely intolerable”. On October 4, 2022, Pyongyang
took the most provocative step in five years by launching an intermediate-range
missile that flew over Japan, necessitating a rare evacuation alert by the
Japanese authorities. Meanwhile, USS Ronald Reagan is heading towards
Korean Peninsula, according to media reports on October 5, 2022.
U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Two Individuals, Three Entities for Helping
North Korea
U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on
October 7, 2022 slapped sanctions on two individuals and three entities for skirting
U.N. resolutions to supply fuel to North Korea, funding their weapons program. Brian
Nelson, undersecretary of Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence,
said that Marshall Islands-based New eastern Shipping Co. Ltd., Singapore-registered
Ansafar Trading (S) Pte. Ltd., Singapore-registered Swanseas Port Services Pte.
Ltd., Singapore-based Kwek Kee Seng and Taiwan-based Chen Shih Huan had violated
U,N. sanctions by running a “ship-to-ship” oil transmittance operation.
North Korea Launches Seventh-round of Missiles in Two Weeks
A day after warning the U.S. over USS Ronald Reagan’s sailing
towards the region and on the day of conclusion of a U.S.-South Korea’s two-day
(October 8-9, 2022) joint drill, North Korea launched two missiles on October
9, 2022 that had landed in the sea between North Korea and Japan. Japan’s
Vice Defense Minister Toshiro Ino called the seventh-round of testing in
two weeks “absolutely unacceptable”. According to the South Korean and Japanese
assessment, the pair of missiles flew 217 miles at an altitude range of
56-60 miles. Toshiro Ino, Japanese minister, added that the missiles were
launched off a submarine.
Pyongyang Launches close to Two Dozen Missiles in as Many Days
In an unprecedented escalation of tension in the Korean Peninsula, North
Korea on November 2, 2022 launched 20 missiles from its eastern and western
coasts, setting a record for the number of missiles launched on a single day,
and followed up with the launch of at least three more missiles—including a suspected
intercontinental ballistic missile—on November 3, 2022. The November
3, 2022, test-firing triggered alerts in Japan, including an evacuation
alert, and forced suspension of train services.
Pyongyang Ups the Ante with Half a Dozen Missiles a Day after Highest
Number of Launches
On November 3, 2022, North Korea launched at least six missiles,
including one inter-continental ballistic missile, ICBM, that triggered
evacuation and a temporary stoppage of rail services in Japan. U.N. Security
Council convened an emergency session for November 4, 2022 to
discuss on the surge of North Korean missile testing.
North Korea: One-day Launch Record Revised Upward
The Associated Press reported on November 4, 2022 that North Korea had set a record
on November 2, 2022 by launching on a single day at least 23 missiles
and followed it up on the following day with half-a-dozen additional launches,
including one intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM.
North Korea Launches Four Ballistic Missiles; U.S. Sends B1-B to the
Region
On November 5, 2022, North Korea launched four short-range
missiles into the western sea in response to South Korea’s joint drill with the
U.S., dubbed as “Vigilant Storm”, that wrapped up on November 5, 2022.
U.S. flew two B1-B bombers to the region.
North Korea Test-fires “Maximum-capacity” ICBM that can Reach U.S.
North Korea on November 18, 2022 test-fired the most advanced and recently
developed Hwasong-17 inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM)
from the Pyongyang International Airport. Korean Central News Agency
said on November 19, 2022 that North Korean leader Kim Jung Un had
observed the launch with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and their “beloved
daughter” as well as military officials. KCNA accused the U.S. of planning to
attack North Korea and warned it and U.S. allies that the provocation would eventually
“lead to their self-destruction”. KCNA boasted that its latest “reliable and
maximum-capacity” weapon had ascended 3,750 miles and traveled 620
miles before landing in the waters of the sea in the east.
Kim’s Sister Threatens U.S.
On November 21, 2022, U.N. Security Council convened for an
emergency session days after North Korea’s most advanced ICBM test. U.S.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the emergency session that
Washington would circulate a proposed presidential statement condemning North’s
missile test.
On November 22, 2022, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister,
Kim Yo Jong, issued warning to the USA, threatening Washington of “a more
fatal security crisis".
North-South Tension Spikes up over Christmas
Around Christmas this year, sudden surge in tension has pushed the Korean
Peninsula to the brink of military escalation. On December 23, 2022,
North Korea test-fired a pair of short-range ballistic missiles. On December
26, 2022, at least five drones launched from North Korea violated the
airspace of South Korea, with at least one arriving as close as the northern
rim of Seoul, forcing South Korea to scramble responding to this air invasion. South
Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that military fired warning shots, flew
attack planes and deployed surveillance assets.
South Korean Army Acknowledges and Apologizes for Its Shortcomings
A day after at least five drones entered deep inside South Korea, with at
least one arriving as close as to the northern rim of capital Seoul, South
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on December 27, 2022 during a
regular cabinet meeting that the nation would “advance the drone unit as soon
as possible because of yesterday’s incident” to have an appropriate regime of “monitoring
key military facilities in North Korea”. During the day, South Korean military’s
chief director of operation at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt. Gen. Kang Shin
Chul, apologized for failure of shooting down a single North Korean drone a
day earlier.
North Korea Test-fires Three Short-range Missiles
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea said in a statement on
December 31, 2022 that earlier in the day, Pyongyang launched three
short-range missiles toward eastern sea.
Long-range Missile Lands in the Japan’s EEZ Waters
North Korea on February 18, 2023 launched its first missile since January 1,
2023 (or U.S. time December 31, 2022), and the missile traveled 560
miles along a curvilinear trajectory with the maximum height of 3,500
miles in an hour-long flight before splashing in the waters of Sea of
Japan inside [Japan’s] Exclusive Economic Zone. On January 1, 2023
(or U.S. time December 31, 2022), North Korea test-fired a short-range
missile. The latest missile launch came a day after Pyongyang’s February 17,
2023, warning to South Korea for a series of joint drills being planned
with the U.S. Based on the range and height of the missile, it seems to belong
to Hwasong-17 family of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
North Korea Launches a Pair of Short-range Missiles
North Korea on February 20, 2023 morning launched two short-range missiles
toward its eastern waters. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a
statement that the missile pair had been launched from a site on the western
coast. Separately, Pyongyang fired two rounds of artillery from its western
coast toward the eastern waters.
North Korea Test-fires Four Cruise Missiles
North Korea’s state-owned Korean Central News Agency said on February
24, 2023 that four long-range cruise missiles were launched a day earlier
toward waters off its eastern coast.
North Korea Launches at least one Missile
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on March 9, 2023 that it’s examining
whether North Korea had launched one, or multiple, ballistic missiles earlier
in the day towards the sea on the west.
U.S., South Korea Launch One of the Largest War Drills
On March 13, 2023, U.S. and South Korea launched one of the
largest joint drills in recent memory that would include simulated war
exercises. The joint drill, called the Warrior Shield FTX, will last for
11 days. On March 12, 2023, North Korea launched two submarine-launched
missiles to protest one of the largest U.S.-South Korea war drills in recent
memory.
North Korea Test-fires Two Short-range Missiles
A day after U.S. and South Korea launched what was dubbed as one of the
largest joint war drills in recent memory, North Korea on March 14, 2023
test-fired two short-range missiles to waters off its eastern coast. South Korea’s
Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the missiles were launched from the
southwestern coastal town of Jangyon and they flew over the country
before plunging in the sea on the east.
North Korea Fires Two Short-range Missiles
On March 27, 2023, North Korea test-fired two short-range
missiles into its easter waters.
North Korea Test-fires Most Powerful Missile to Date
State-owned Korean Central News Agency reported on April 14, 2023
that North Korea had tested a day earlier an intercontinental ballistic missile
launched from a site near Pyongyang. The missile—in Hwasong-18 class—was
propelled by solid fuel. KCNA reported that the missile test-fired on April
13, 2023 was the most powerful nuclear-capable missile yet in the North
Korean weapons arsenal. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present
during launch time.
North Korean Supremo’s Powerful Sister Hurls Insult against Biden
After the April 26, 2023, announcement of the Washington
Declaration that had committed both Seoul and Washington to firm up their
security, trade and economic relations, North Korea waited for two days
before issuing any official statement. On April 28, 2023, North Korean
leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister, Kim Yong Jo, said that Pyongyang
would hasten its military readiness in response to what President Joe Biden
had told on April 26, 2023 that any nuclear attack by North Korea on South
Korea, or the U.S., or any of Washington’s allies, would “result in the end of
whatever regime” would take such action. Kim Yong Jo also hurled insult
against Joe Biden, saying that Biden’s remarks reflected a “nonsensical remark
from the person in his dotage".
North Korea to Launch Its First Military Spy Satellite
A day after informing Japan its intention, North Korea on May 30,
2023 announced that it would launch its first ever military spy satellite
to monitor what Ri Pyong Chol, a high-ranking military official of DPRK,
said “reckless ambition for aggression” by the United States as Washington had
ramped up its joint military drills with South Korea. Since January 2022, North
Korea test-fired more than 100 missiles, including inter-continental ballistic
missiles, to date.
North Korean Missile Tests, Plenary Session, Aircraft Carrier’s Port
Call Ratchet up Tension
It was a tension-filled week in Korean Peninsula as North Korea launched
two short-range ballistic missiles into sea in the east on June 15, 2023
in response to live-fire exercises jointly conducted by the U.S. and South
Korea early in the week. On June 16, 2023, USS Michigan, a
nuclear-powered submarine, arrived at the region for subsequent joint war
drills. USS Michigan made port call at Busan. On the political front,
an expanded plenary session of the ruling Workers’ Party began on June 16, 2023
to discuss military strategy and take stock of the state of economic affairs.
North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile
North Korea on July 12, 2023 launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern
waters, two days after it accused a “provocative” U.S. surveillance flight near
its territory. Both the U.S. and South Korea dismissed the North’s allegation
and urged it to lower the escalatory rhetoric.
********************* TRAVIS KING
Soldier Flees to North Korea, North Launches Missiles, First U.S. Nuke
Sub Visit in Decades
A U.S. soldier facing disciplinary action was reported to have fled to
North Korea on July 18, 2023. Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King
was just released from a South Korean prison where he had been detained on
assault charges and was being escorted to embark a plane to Fort Bliss when he
managed to blend with a tour group going to Panmunjom and crossed the border
there. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said hours later that he was most
concerned about the wellbeing of the soldier, without naming King. This is
probably the first time in five years an American had been detained in North
Korea.
Separately, on July 18, 2023, a U.S. nuclear submarine—USS Kentucky—became
made a port call at Busan, marking the first time to do so in decades. That seemed
not to sit well with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. On July 19,
2023, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles to its
eastern waters.
North Korea Silent on the Soldier
More information began to come in and additional clarity of the bizarre
case involving a U.S. soldier crossing into North Korea had fed through the
news channel on July 19, 2023. However, North Korea remained silent on
the fate of the soldier. The soldier was supposed to be embarking a U.S.-bound
flight on July 17, 2023, but remained unaccounted for until he was seen
dashing to North Korean side of the border in Panmunjom demilitarized zone on
July 18, 2023. He spent 47 days in South Korean prison on assault-related
charges, and was released on July 10, 2023. He was facing disciplinary
measures.
Army Private Returned by North Korea
The U.S. soldier who fled to North Korea in July 2023 was handed over to
the U.S. authorities on September 27, 2023. The expulsion of Private
Travis King, who crossed the border on July 18, 2023, should not be over-interpreted
as a good-will gesture because of the soldier’s low-ranking status and already
precarious state of facing possible criminal charges in the U.S. in unrelated
charges even before fleeing in July 2023, thus making him a losing bet on
bargaining.
On September 27, 2023, King was escorted to the China border by
the Swedish officials and handed over to the U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas
Burns, Swedish ambassador to China and U.S. defense department officials.
********************* TRAVIS KING
North Korea Launches Two Short-range Missiles
As another U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier—USS Annapolis—arrived at
a port in South Korean island of Jeju, North Korea on July 25, 2023
launched two short-range missiles into its eastern waters.
North, South Koreas Mark 70th Anniversary of Armistice in
Starkly Different Manners
On July 26, 2023, the truce that ended the war between North
Korea and South Korea stepped into 70th year. Without a formal peace
treaty, the two Koreas are technically still at war. Pyongyang and Seoul marked
the day in polar opposite manner in style, significance and size. In Pyongyang,
a gargantuan parade was held in presence of Russian and Chinese dignitaries. Russian
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a midlevel Chinese Communist official, Li
Hongzhong, were the key foreign celebrities in Pyongyang. North Korean
Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam received Shoigu at the airport.
In South Korea, the main event looked a somber color as President
Yoon Suk Yeol participated in a repatriation event in Seongnam.
North Korea Fails Second Time to Launch a Spy Satellite
North Korean state-owned Korean Central News Agency reported on August
24, 2023 that Pyongyang’s second try to launch a reconnaissance satellite ended
up with failure. North Korea used a new rocket system to put the satellite, Malligyong-1,
on the orbit. The first two stages of the Chollima-1 rocket worked as
expected, but the third-stage flight acted erroneously, leading to failure of
the mission. North Korea’s space agency, National Aerospace Development
Administration, vowed to try third time in October 2023.
Putin, Kim to Meet in Russia; Moscow Likely to Seek Munition
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on September 10, 2023 left Pyongyang in
his personal train for Russia. He was given a hearty and boisterous sendoff by
North’s military and officials, including Prime Minister Kim Tok Hun. Kim
Jong Un’s train is reported to have crossed into Russia in the wee hours of
September 12, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin is to meet
with Kim, most likely, in Vladivostok. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived
at Vladivostok on September 11, 2023 to attend a conference that would
run through September 13, 2023. The Kremlin will, most likely, seek ammunition
and artillery to replenish its arsenal.
Kim, Putin Meet at Russia’s Only Cosmodrome on Its Soil
On September 13, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin
greeted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he had emerged from his
limousine brought from North Korea in the DPRK leader’s private armored train.
The duo of the world’s most isolated leaders met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome,
only spaceport on the Russian soil located in the country’s Far East, for
about four hours. The possible talking points between Putin and Kim included the
issue of ammunition supply to Russia by Pyongyang to keep the momentum of war
against Ukraine going. North Korean President Kim Jong Un was reported to have
expressed his “full and unconditional” support for Putin.
North Korea Lashes out against U.S. for Arrival of an Aircraft Carrier at
the Region
Pyongyang blasted U.S. in the strongest of terms on October 12, 2023
for the USS Ronald Reagan and its battle group’s arrival a day ago at
Busan following a three-way drill among Japan, South Korea and the U.S. earlier
this week.
North Korea Claims Spy Satellite Launch a Success
North Korea on November 22, 2023 said that it had sent a spy satellite to orbit.
Pyongyang called the November 21, 2023, launch a success. North Korea’s
space agency, National Aerospace Technology Administration, said that
its new “Chollima-1” rocket had accurately placed “Malligyong-1”
satellite into orbit on November 21, 2023 night, about 12 minutes after
the liftoff from the nation’s main launch center. South Korea, in response to
North’s successful spy satellite launch, said that it was suspending a 2018
tension-reduction treaty and resume a front-line aerial surveillance of North
Korea.
Long-range Ballistic Missile Fired
South Korean military said on December 18, 2023 that North Korea
had launched earlier in the day a long-range ballistic missile from the its
capital region.
North Korea to Add a Reactor at Main Nuclear Facility
South Korean Defense Ministry said on December 29, 2023, quoting Defense
Minister Shin Wonsik‘s confabulation with reporters a day earlier, that North
Korea was working on a second reactor, a light-water reactor, at Yongbyon most
likely to produce Plutonium that could be used in its nuclear program. Yongbyon
currently has a 5-megawatt reactor that produces Plutonium. The
facility has a uranium enrichment mechanism too. According to South Korea, the
new light-water reactor will be fully operational in 2024 summer. IAEA Chief
Rafael Grossi said in October 2023 that the U.N. nuclear agency,
which had been kicked out of the country in 2009, had detected activities
aligned with working on a new light-water reactor.
Party Meet Focuses on Ramping up Capability to Offer “Overwhelming War
Response”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led a bellicose posture and
leadership style during a five-day high-level, ruling Workers Party meeting
[December 26-30, 2023] in stressing the need for an “overwhelming war
response capability” to deter enemy provocations, the state-owned Korean
Central News Agency said on December 31, 2023. According to the content of deliberations
related to the scaling up of its defense arsenal in 2024, North Korea is
planning to launch three reconnaissance satellites in addition to the one that
has been launched in November 2023, increase nuclear capabilities—including
producing more weapons-grade Plutonium and enriching more Uranium—and deploying
more attack drones and advancing its footprint in submarine capability.
North Korea Carries out the New Year’s First Missile Test
On January 14, 2024, North Korea conducted its first missile test
of the New Year. However, there is a difference in assessment between the Japanese
and South Korean experts over the type of missile tested by Pyongyang during
the day. According to South Korea’s Joints Chiefs of Staff, the intermediate-range
missile flew about 620 miles before splashing into the waters. South Korean
experts also indicated that the missile was powered by solid-fuel technology,
an innovative technology that North Korea had claimed to have successfully
tested in mid-November 2023. Solid-fuel-powered missiles can
evade detection more easily compared to liquid-fuel-powered missiles.
North Korea’s current fleet of intermediate-range missiles of Hwasong-12
[Intermediate-range missile] class is powered by liquid fuel.
According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, the missile flew
about 300 miles and attained a height up to 30 miles, implying that the missile
might be a short-range ballistic missile. The apparent discrepancy
between South Korean assessment and Japanese assessment is yet to be
reconciled. A trilateral, unified statement issued later in the day by the
U.S., Japan and South Korea condemned North Korea’s provocative action and
emphasized on strengthening the collective defense posture in Korean Peninsula.
Kim Ratchets up Escalation, Calls South a Permanent Adversary
That the political pendulum in Seoul swinging from the Left (under
Former South Korean President Moon jae-In) to the Right (under current South
Korean President Yun Sook Yeol) is not going to yield a favorable outcome
for peace and tranquility in Korean Peninsula becomes evident this week as North
Korean leader Kim Jong Un has told the Supreme People’s Assembly—North’s
Parliament—on January 15, 2024 that South Korean officials are the “top-class
stooges” of the USA. He ordered the government agency dedicated to
reunification to be banished, labeling Seoul as a permanent adversary instead
of a reconciliation partner. In 2018, the same Kim explored ways to improve
relations with then-President Moon jae-In, a liberal, creating
diplomatic and military détente and leveraged Seoul to build bridge with Former
U.S. President Donald Trump. The January 15, 2024, notification
to Supreme People’s Assembly to “completely eliminate such concepts as ‘reunification’,
‘reconciliation’ and ‘fellow countrymen’ from the national history of our Republic”
is akin to ignoring any role that South Korea will play in deciding the future
of Korean Peninsula, implying that Kim will prefer to deal with the U.S.
directly instead of going through South Korea. This also harkens back,
according to many Korea analysts, to the day of Korean Armistice of 1953
which has been signed by the U.S.-led U.N. Command, North Korea, and China,
not by South Korea.
North Korea Slams Security Council Resolution, Reposes Trust in Putin
North Korean Foreign Ministry on January 21, 2024 issued two separate
statements. One emphasized the deepening of relationship between North Korea
and Russia, saying that President Vladimir Putin would pay a visit to
Pyongyang in the coming months as a sequel to North Korean Foreign Minister
Choe Son Hui’s meeting with Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov in Moscow last week.
A separate statement by the Foreign Ministry condemned the U.N. Security
Council resolution that had decried Pyongyang’s January 14, 2024, solid-fuel
ballistic missile test.
North Korea Launches Cruise Missiles
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on January 28, 2024 that South
Korean military had detected cruise missiles flying over the waters near the
North Korean port city of Sinpo, a major ship-building yard. North Korea last
week launched a new cruise missile, Pulhwasal-3-31, following a
solid-fuel ballistic missile test.
North Korea Claims to have Launched Submarine-fired Cruise Missiles
North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper on January 29, 2024
published photos of at least two cruise missiles. North Korea claimed that the
cruise missiles test-launched on January 28, 2024 were designed and
developed for launches from submarine platforms. According to the western
military analysts, both the cruise missiles launched on January 28, 2024
belong to Pulhwasal-3-31 type, a missile that has first come to be known to the world’s
attention last week when it has been fired from the surface on North
Korea’s western coast.
North Korea Launches Multiple Short-range Missiles
Days after South Korea and the U.S. wrapped up their joint drill, North
Korea on March 18, 2024 test-fired several short-range missiles toward
the eastern waters, marking the launch of missiles for the first time in a
month.
North Korea Fires At least One Ballistic Missile
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on April 2, 2024 that North Korea
had fired a ballistic missile into waters in the east. The latest ballistic
missile launch came days before the South Korean parliamentary elections.
PAKISTAN
Pearl Murderer's Sentence Reduced
The British-Pak national responsible for luring The Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl into captivity and then his subsequent slaying received a fresh lease of life as a Pakistani court on April 2, 2020 dropped murder charge against Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. The kidnapping charge carries only 7 years behind the bars, which he has already spent. Daniel Pearl had been kidnapped on January 23, 2002 as he was researching Pakistani extremist groups' link to the shoe bomber Richard Reid. Daniel Pearl was thought to have been beheaded by Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the 9/11 attack architect, who had been captured in 2003 and brought to the Guantanamo Bay.
Alleged Attack Mastermind Arrested
One of the masterminds of 2008 Mumbai attack, Zaikur Rehman Lakhvi, that had killed 166 people was arrested by Pakistani security forces on January 2, 2021 in the eastern city of Lahore. Zaikur Rehman Lakhvi was once arrested after 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, but Pakistani courts released him in 2015. Lakhvi is thought to be a leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has been behind the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and confidante of another top-ranking Lashkar leader, Hafiz Saeed, on whom the U.S. has a bounty of $10 million. Zaikur Rehman Lakhvi was also a leader of a charity founded by Saeed, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, long suspected to be front of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Hafiz Saeed is serving sentences in Pak prison on multiple charges of terrorism. Zaikur owns and operates a dispensary that Pak authorities allege is a front for terrorism funding.
11 Minority Miners Executed in Cold Blood by Islamic State Gunmen
Miners from the minority Hazara community were abducted from a coal mine in Baluchistan and taken to a remote area blindfolded and hands tied behind their backs. Then all eleven of the miners were shot, five died on the spot and six others succumbed en route to the hospital. The early morning January 3, 2021, killings that targeted the minority community evoked strong condemnation across political spectrums. Islamic State claimed the responsibility for the killings of Hazara miners of the Machh coal mine.
Pak Supreme Court Orders Prime Suspect of Pearl Murder Case Released
Pakistan's supreme court on January 28, 2021 ordered the British-Pakistani militant Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and three others released, repudiating appeals from Daniel Pearl's family and the Pakistani government. The Wall Street Journal reporter was lured into an interview trap in Karachi and his brutal 2002 murder sent a shiver through the international community of journalists. Years later, Islamic State adopted that brutal tactic more frequently.
Attack on Shiite Mosque Kills at least 56 Worshippers in Peshawar
A suicide bombing followed by a hail of gunfire at a packed Shiite
mosque at central Peshawar in the midst of Friday prayer on March 4,
2022 killed at least 56 worshippers and injured close to 200. The
severity of the attack was the worst since a December 2014 attack on an army
school that had killed scores of children and awakened the nation to the
renewed danger of neglecting the poisonous spear of extremism. Later in the
day, Islamic State claimed the responsibility for mosque attack. Prime
Minister Imran Khan vowed on his tweeter handle to “go after” the
perpetrators. Pak Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told The
Washington Post that “we will thwart the designs” of perpetrators with
strong hands.
Imran Khan Likely to Face No-Confidence Vote; Calls Effort to Oust Him
Treasonous
Addressing the nation on March 31, 2022, Pakistani Prime
Minister Imran Khan called out the country’s opposition for conspiring with
certain foreign powers to unseat him. Opposition had peeled away members from
his party amidst rising frustration over inflation and price rise. Khan called
the effort to oust him as an act of “treason”. No Pak rulers completed the full
term in office. Khan is likely to face a no-confidence motion in parliament
later this week.
Pak
Premier Dissolves Parliament, No-Confidence Motion Shelved
In
a cunning move on April 3, 2022, the ruling government of Prime
Minister Imran Khan asked the country’s president to dissolve the
parliament, which President Arif Alvi later accepted. Meanwhile, at the
urging of Khan, the parliament’s deputy speaker on April 3, 2022 denied
opposition’s request for a no-confidence vote. Addressing
the nation, Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the U.S. of orchestrating a
conspiracy with the country’s opposition to depose him.
Premier
Ousted after No-Confidence Vote
Pak
Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 9, 2022 resigned after losing a no-confidence motion.
Khan accused Washington of hatching the conspiracy and collaborated with the
Pak opposition to oust him. Earlier the Pak Supreme Court nullified the prime
minister’s action and ordered him to face lawmakers.
Former
Premier’s Brother Wins Confidence Vote
Former
Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s brother, Shahbaz Sharif, on April 11, 2022 won the confidence vote in Pak parliament. 174
lawmakers in 342-seat parliament voted for Shahbaz Sharif to become
the country’s new premier. More than 100 members of Former Pak Premier Imran
Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaaf Party walked out of the parliament before
the confidence vote.
Police Files Terrorism Charges against Imran Khan
Pakistani police on August 22, 2022 filed terrorism charges
against Former Premier Imran Khan under a 1997 anti-terrorism law.
Pakistan Faces Grimmest Flood Devastation in Years
That the climate change combined with rampant development, widespread corruption
and haphazard planning can lead to gargantuan human devastation proves itself
through the misery of hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of people in
Pakistan as swollen rivers have taken a toll on large parts of Sindh and
Baluchistan. Since mid-June 2022, villages after villages and towns
after towns along the Indus and other rivers were ravaged by raging flood
waters. Houses were swept aside, and buildings, warehouses, mosques, and other
structures remained submerged. The fury of flood was more pronounced in the
last few weeks. Since mid-June 2022, at least 1,000 people were killed
in flood. In Sindh alone, some 1,800 relief camps have been set up. Sindh
Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said on August 29, 2022 that the “devastation
caused by the floods is unprecedented".
U.N. Chief Warns against “Sleepwalking” on Climate Change at a Pakistani
Fund Raiser
Attending a virtual fundraiser for Pakistan’s flood relief effort, U.N.
Secretary-General Anthony Guterres on August 30, 2022 raised a five-star
alarm on neglecting climate change. Addressing an Islamabad conference to raise
$160 million for the relief effort, Mr. Guterres forcefully said that “let’s
stop sleepwalking toward the destruction of our planet by climate change”. He
also added that “today it’s Pakistan, tomorrow it could be your country”. The U.N.
head will visit Pakistan on September 9, 2022.
The flood had killed more than 1,100 since mid-June 2022. About 33
million people, or roughly 1 in 7 people, had been affected, over a
million houses had been destroyed, and half-a-million people had been living in
the organized camps.
Pakistan Seeks Massive International Aid
Humbled by the scale of devastation from the epic flood that had led to more
than 1,260 deaths, thousands of injuries and hundreds of thousands of
families becoming homeless, Pakistan’s planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal,
on September 3, 2022 called for international help as part of “humanitarian
response for 33 million people”. According to authorities, flood-related
damages are estimated at $10 billion. Many scientists blame rapid
climate change for parts of Pakistan’s flood woes, and U.N. Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres warned the world against “sleepwalking” on climate change
during an August 30, 2022, fundraising conference.
Regional Government Cuts Embankment of One of the Largest Lakes to Save City
Sindh government authorities on September 4, 2022 has cut an
embankment of Lake Manchar, one of the largest lakes in Pakistan, to divert
waters and save the city of Sehwan and the town of Bhan Saeedabad,
but by flooding scores of villages which are home to 150,000 people, including Sindh
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. A concerted effort was made to evacuate the
villagers to high grounds before the embankment was breached.
UNHCR Rushes Aid to Pakistan
The U.N. refugee agency on September 5, 2022 sent two aircraft
full of relief supplies to Karachi as Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and
Foreign Minister Bilal Ali Bhutto took a helicopter trip to have an aerial
views of the devastated areas. The U.S. announced $30 million in aid for
Pakistani flood victims last week. On September 5, 2022, two visiting
U.S. lawmakers—Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Tom Suzy—met with Pakistani
officials.
U.S. Begins Airlift to Supply Relief to Pakistan
U.S. launched an ambitious airlift effort this week that would establish
as a “beachhead” inside Pakistan’s flood zone, Samantha Power, head of
the U.S. Agency for International Development, told reporters on September
9, 2022. Power toured the flood-affected areas a day earlier.
Assassination Attempt on Imran Khan Increases Tension
Gunfire rang out on November 3, 2022 as Imran Khan was
leading a protest convoy through Wazirabad district in Punjab province
as part of his campaign to exert pressure on Islamabad to hold early election.
Bullet had injured the former prime minister and ex-star cricketer with leg
injury and killed one of his supporters and wounded seven others. Imran Khan
was taken to a hospital in Lahore and reported to be out of danger. Leaders
from all political stripes condemned the assassination attempt by the lone
gunman, who admitted later that he had acted alone.
U.S. Embassy in Pakistan Alerts for a Possible Attack over Holidays
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad on December 25, 2022 issued a
terrorism alert over a possible attack on American targets at the posh Marriott
Hotel in Islamabad, and asked Americans not to visit the hotel during
holidays. The alert was issued two days after a vehicle was stopped at an
Islamabad checkpoint when a passenger in the rear seat blew up, killing a
police personnel.
Pakistani Government Searching for Perpetrators
On December 25, 2022, attackers launched nine different attacks
on security forces in Baluchistan province, killing six troops and
wounding 17 civilians. On December 26, 2022, government deployed
security personnel to arrest the alleged perpetrators as condemnation poured in
from various corners, including Baluchistan Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqalli
and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Pakistani Taliban, better known as Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attacks.
59 Dead, 150 Injured in Attack on Police Mosque
In an audacious attack within a police barrack, a suicide bomber blew up
on January 30, 2023, killing at least 59 and injuring some 150. The
targeted mosque in Peshawar was teeming with police personnel when the attacker
blew up. A senior commander of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, only to be denied by
another TTP leader.
Death Toll Increases to 100; Defense Minister Urges Action from Afghan
Taliban
That a suicide bomber could enter as secure a location as the police
complex in Peshawar and blew up at a crowded mosque showed lax security and
failure of protocols to a shameful level. As of January 31, 2023, the
death toll rose to 100 and total number of injured rose to at least 225.
Pak Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif on January 31, 2023 told the
country’s parliament in a televised address that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan,
or TTP, or Pakistani Taliban, was responsible for the heinous attack. Asif has
also called out Afghan Taliban for not doing anything as Pakistani Taliban is
using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan.
Five Killed in Rigged Pillion Explosion at a Baluchi Market
A bomb-rigged pillion exploded at a bazaar in the Baluchi city of Barkhan,
360 miles northeast of Quetta, the regional capital, on February 26,
2023, killing at least five people and wounding 16.
Police Storms Former Premier’s Residence, Arrests at least 61
Former Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan holed himself up at his residence in the posh Lahore
neighborhood of Zaman Park since March 14, 2023 as he faced the possibility
of arrest. Scores of his supporters assembled at the neighborhood to prevent
police from entering his house. There were reports of armed men both inside his
residential complex as well as on the streets in the neighborhood. His
supporters put up barricades, and used downed trees and other inhibitors to put
up blockades on the streets. They engaged with security forces in fisticuff and
occasional exchange of fire. On March 17, 2023, a Pak court suspended his
arrest warrant, allowing him to travel to Islamabad without fear of arrest to
appear before a court on charges that he had sold state gifts and hidden his financial
assets. The following day, March 18, 2023, he left his home at Lahore in
a large convoy toward Islamabad to appear at a court. After Imran Khan had left
his Lahore home in Zaman Park, a large contingent of police swung into
action, dismantling the barriers on the streets, storming his residential
complex, and removing road blockades. There were clashes between Tehreek-e-Insaf
Party supporters and security forces. Arms have been recovered from Khan’s
residential complex. At least 61 people were arrested.
Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s lawyer Babar Awan filed
an application to exempt Khan from appearing at the court in Islamabad. The
hearing in Islamabad was postponed until March 30, 2023. Law Minister
Azam Nazeer Tarar condemned Khan for not appearing in person before the
judge or for not turning in to the police. Pak Interior Minister Rana
Sanaullah said that law enforcement personnel would conduct a thorough
search of Imran Khan’s Lahore residential complex as guns, weapons and
ammunitions were found there.
Pak Police Charges Imran Khan on Terrorism
A day after police personnel and backers of Former Pak Prime Minister
Imran Khan fought street battle in Islamabad, capital city’s police on March
19, 2023 filed charges against Imran Khan, 17 of his aides and several of
his supporters on terrorism and other offenses.
Pakistan’s Former Premier Arrest Sparks Violence
Underlining the volatility of the political landscape in the nation, the
violence that ensued on May 9, 2023 after Former Pakistani Prime
Minister Imran Khan was arrested and dragged into a vehicle as he appeared
to face graft-related charges at an Islamabad court spread rapidly to other
parts of the nation, and PTI supporters and law enforcement personnel waged
pitched battles in the streets of Quetta, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore and
Peshawar, turning them into battle zones.
Military Called to Quell Violence
Pak Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on May 10, 2023 called the country’s
military to quell violence as Imran Khan’s followers torched tires on fire,
blocked roads, vandalized buildings and targeted military installations. The
violence killed at least six people, and hundreds of PTI supporters were
detained. The Pak military issued a stern warning on May 10, 2023,
warning the attackers against pushing the nation to a “civil war”. Meanwhile, a
judge on May 10, 2023 ordered Khan, 70, to be remanded in custody for
eight days. Imran Khan was held at a penitentiary in Islamabad. Imran Khan was
arrested and dragged from the courtroom after the former cricketer appeared at
a Islamabad court a day earlier to face graft-related charges.
Imran Khan Freed
Pak Supreme Court on May 11, 2023 ordered that Former Prime Minister Imran Khan be freed from custody.
Pak Police Lays Siege on Imran Khan’s Lahore Home
A day after Pakistan’s ruling party organized a protest sit-in near the
country’s supreme court to demand that the chief justice, who had ordered last
week Former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be released, resign immediately,
Mr. Khan on May 16, 2023 held a press conference at his Lahore house, and
demanded that an impartial investigation be launched, accusing the ruling party
of fomenting violence. During days of violence in the aftermath of Imran Khan’s
arrest, former premier’s followers set cars aflame, attacked military
installations and police stations, and at least 10 people were killed.
Pak authorities accused Khan of sheltering dozens of his supporters who had
resorted to violence. Police gave a May 18, 2023, 2PM deadline for those
named in violence to be handed over to authorities. Police remained in large
numbers surrounding Imran Khan’s house at a posh Lahore neighborhood after the
expiry of the deadline.
Suicide Bombing Targets an Islamist Party’s Rally, Kills at least 44
In what appeared to be a targeted attack against an Islamist political
party—Jamiat Ulema Islam led by the hardline cleric Maulana Fazlur
Rehman--a suicide bomber on July 30, 2023 blew up near the stage at
a hall near the main market of the district capital of Bajur District in
Pakistan’s northwest, killing at least 44 and wounding dozens more. The blast
occurred as the attendants waited at the tents outside the overflown hall and
organizers were announcing the pending arrival of a key leader of the party,
Abdul Rasheed. Bajur District and surrounding regions used to be stronghold of
Pakistani Taliban before Pak military crackdown that had led many of the
militants to flee to Afghanistan.
Pak Premier Calls for Better Border Control by Afghan Taliban
Visiting a Peshawar hospital to see the injured from the Bajur bombing
that had killed 55 people, Pak Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on
August 1, 2023 that Afghan Taliban should better rein in control over their
borders so that extremists couldn’t regroup, rearm and infiltrate across the
border to perpetrate in Pakistan. Islamic State group based in Afghanistan
claimed the responsibility for the July 30, 2023, suicide bombing.
Former Pak Premier Sentenced to Three Years
A Pak court on August 5, 2023 sentenced Former Pakistani
Premier Imran Khan to three-year jail sentence on corruption charges. The
court ruled that Mr. Imran Khan had sold the state gifts and concealed the
profits. Mr. Khan was arrested at his Lahore residence and brought to Attock
Prison in Punjab province. Khan is facing more than 150 charges, including
on terrorism and corruption. Because of the conviction, there is a high
possibility that Imran Khan will be barred from participating in electoral
politics.
Pak Parliamentary Elections Round the Corner
Pakistan will be going through the most sacred, but by no stretch a
perfect, democratic process—parliamentary election—in the next 90 days as the
countdown has begun with a Baluchistan lawmaker from the upper house taking the
helms of affairs of the Southeast Asian nuclear power on August 14, 2023
to oversee the election. Senator Anwar ul-Haq of the small Baluchistan
Awami Party was the consensus choice for Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif
and opposition leader Raza Riaz. On August 13, 2023, Senator
Anwar ul-Haq resigned from his Senate seat and as head of Baluchistan
Awami Party. On the 77th Independence Day of the nation,
President Arif Alvi administered the oath of the office to Sen. Haq as the
caretaker premier.
Pak Appeals Court Suspends Former Premier’s Conviction, Sentence
A Pak appeals court on August 29, 2023 suspended the conviction of
and a three-year prison term against Former Prime Minister Imran Khan in
a legal victory. The appeals court didn’t toss out the conviction. It has merely
suspended it, implying that Imran Khan is still prohibited from participating
in electoral politics.
Bombing Kills 52 in Baluchistan
As people were gathering for a procession to celebrate the occasion of
birth of Prophet Muhammad, Mawlid an-Nabi, on September 29, 2023 at an open
area in Mastung, near Quetta in Baluchistan, a bomb went off killing at least
52 people and wounding dozens.
Pakistan Begins Deporting Afghan Refugees
After an October 31, 2023, deadline expired, Pakistan on November
1, 2023 began to deport dozens of unregistered Afghan refugees. Although
the order applies to any unregistered foreigner, it disproportionately affects
unregistered Afghan refugees who number in millions. Pakistani government
action invited criticism from the rights groups, international organizations,
and Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban.
Pak Premier’s Nomination Rejected
Pakistan’s election officials on December 30, 2023 rejected Former
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nomination papers. Khan is serving a three-year
sentence and facing other charges too, but has gone ahead to file nomination
papers, partly boosted by an appeals court ruling in August 2023 that
Khan’s criminal convictions should be suspended.
Former Pak Premier Sentenced 10 years
A Pak court on January 30, 2024 sentenced Former Pakistani
Prime Minister Imran Khan to 10 years of imprisonment for publicly sharing
the state secret.
Former Pak Premier Sentenced to 14-year Imprisonment
In a second verdict in as many days, Former Pak Premier Imran Khan on
January 31, 2024 was sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges.
The day before, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for revealing state
secrets. A slew of convictions against the former prime minister and a
charismatic former cricketer are defining the backdrop and passion of the Southeast
Asian nation in the run-up to February 8, 2024, parliamentary polls.
Pair of Explosions Kill 30 a day before Election Day
As a disillusioned nation goes to the election day with tens of
thousands of security personnel fanning out throughout the Southeast Asian nuclear-powered
nation, militants are not taking any break from carrying out attacks on the
democratic process. On February 7, 2024, a pair of explosions targeting
candidates contesting in the Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan Province
killed at least 30 and injured dozens. The first explosion happened at an election
office of independent candidate Asfandyar Khan in Baluchistan’s Pashin
District, killing at least 18 people. Hours later, a second
explosion struck an election office of Jamiat Ulema Islam in Qilla
Saifullah, about 80 miles away from the first explosion, killing at least
12. Pakistan’s Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for explosion at
the Jamiat’s office.
PHILIPPINES
Duterte to Jettison the Security Deal with USA
Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte administration on February 11, 2020 announced that it would abandon the 69-year-old military pact that it had with the U.S., a clear sign of Manila to pivot the political equilibrium to favor closer ties to Moscow and Beijing. Philippines' foreign secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr., said in a tweet that the termination notice of the Visitors Forces Agreement had been received by the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Manila and would be effective in 180 days.
Fearless Journalist Convicted of Libel
A Filipino-American journalist, Maria Ressa, a frequent critic of Philippines' president, Rodrigo Duterte, and her colleague, Reynaldo Santos Jr., were convicted on June 15, 2020 on a 2012 cyber libel law violation that had been enacted two months after an article critical of a Filipino businessman had been published. The article written by Santos in 2012 n Rappler, headed by Ressa, targeted businessman Wilfredo Keng, tying him to drug smuggling and trafficking. The law can't be applied retroactively, but a minor mistake was made in 2014 when Rappler made a typographical correction to the original story, thus bringing the article under the purview of the law. Wilfredo Keng formally filed a complaint in 2017.
Duterte Faces Heavy Criticism after Pardoning U.S. Marine Convicted of Murder of a Transgender
Massive protest and intense anger broke out among Filipinos after the September 7, 2020, "absolute pardon" by President Rodrigo Duterte of a U.S. Marine, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who had been convicted in 2015 of murder of a transgender woman, Jennifer Laude. Pemberton had arrived at Philippines as part of joint military exercises, and met with Jennifer Laude in October 2014 at a bar in Olongapo City, north of Manila. Jennifer Laude's body was found in a motel, and her murder had become a flashpoint for LGBTQ rights in the country. Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was handed a 10-year sentence, but instead of spending time in the country's crowded and squalid jails, he had spent time in a better prison at the Filipino Army headquarters because of Visiting Forces Agreement. Although Rodrigo Duterte railed against Visiting Forces Agreement, he never sincerely tried to withdraw from it too. Rodrigo Duterte's September 7, 2020, "absolute pardon", not even asked by the U.S., was criticized and lampooned by Filipino opposition, human rights groups and LGBTQ groups. On September 13, 2020, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was deported in a military plane from Philippines.
Aquino
Dies of Renal Failure
At
the age of 61, Benigno Aquino III, a former president and scion of a
political dynasty, passed away on June 24, 2021. He served as the
president of the country from 2010 to 2016. His government filed a
complaint against China in an international arbitration panel after Beijing in
2012 seized a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. China never
participated in the tribunal’s proceeding and largely ignored its 2016 ruling
favoring Manila. Under Aquino III rule (2010-2016), Sino-Filipino
relations tumbled and there was internal discontent among the population too,
thus giving rise to strong-man Rodrigo Duterte, against whom Aquino had
campaigned. Aquino’s father, Benigno Aquino Jr., was assassinated at the
Manila International Airport in 1983. Three years later in 1986, Aquino Jr.’s
widow and Benigno Aquino III’s mother, Corazon Aquino, led a revolt against
Marcos regime, leading to the dictator’s eventual ouster.
Duterte not to Contest as Vice President, Retire from Politics
Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte, nominated by his party to contest the 2022 presidential election as a vice presidential candidate along with his politician daughter, who will head the ruling party's presidential ticket, has said on October 2, 2021 that he would not contest after all as the public opinion is clearly against the idea. Term-limited president 73, will instead resign from politics.
Marcos-Duterte Ticket Raises Human Rights Concern
In a setback to Philippines' journey for an open, democratic society, two names linked to years of human rights abuses will be in the same ticket in the upcoming general election. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose late-father had imposed martial law in 1972 and ruled in a ruthless and autocratic manner until his ouster in 1986, filed paperwork last month at the Commission on Election to run for president. Marcos Jr.'s political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, on November 13, 2021 named President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Sara Duterte from the Lakas CMD party as the vice presidential candidate. "The Marcos-Duterte tandem is the biggest threat to the democratic aspirations of the people", conjured Renato Reyes of Bayan, a prominent leftist coalition. Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against drug killed at least 6,000 people, mostly low-level addicts from poor families.
Chinese
Coast Guard Deters Filipino Boats with Water Blast
Chinese
Coast guard vessels on November 16, 2021 blasted streams of water
against two Filipino boats which were carrying supplies for the troops stationed
on a shoal in the South China Sea. Because of the intimidation, Filipino
boats could not reach the Second Thomas Shoal, off the western province
of Palawan, in Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive
economic zone. The Associated Press reported the incident on November
18, 2021.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Elected President
In a twist of historical fate, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of late dictator
of the same name who had been forced out of power in a people’s revolution in
1986, was elected president in May 9, 2022, presidential election. He
had received over 30 million votes, and his nearest rival, Vice
President Leni Robredo, received more than 14.5 million votes. Manny
Pacquiao, the boxing great, received about 3.5 million votes, earning him the
third slot.
In the second-highest position of the government, Sara Duterte,
won the race for vice presidency, leading the nation to have descendants of two
autocratic political dynasties to rule Philippines.
Marcos Jr., Duterte Sworn in
On June 30, 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte, daughter of Former President Rodrigo Duterte, were sworn in as the president and vice president of Philippines, respectively.
Philippines not to Rejoin ICC, President says
Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on August 1,
2022 that his nation would not rejoin The Hague-based International
Criminal Court. In 2019, Former President Rodrigo Duterte
withdrew Philippines from the ICC. In September 2021, ICC
launched an investigation into human rights abuses and killings committed under
the auspices of Duterte during his stints as a regional leader and subsequently
as the president of the nation. The investigation, covering a timeline from November
1, 2011 to March 16, 2019, was thwarted by the Filipino regime as it had
sent a letter to ICC, saying that it was already conducting an investigation
into those abuses. Since ICC investigation is of the last resort, it has been
suspended in November 2021 after Manila has written to ICC. However, ICC
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan said in June 2022 that “I have concluded that the
deferral requested by the Philippines is not warranted” and the investigation
would soon resume.
Biden Welcomes Marcos
Bestowing one of the highest embraces upon Filipino President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President Joe Biden on May 1, 2023 welcomed the Filipino
president at the Oval Office, and reiterated his pledge to strengthen further
the “ironclad” relationship between the two nations.
U.S. Vows to Protect Philippines
U.S. on October 23, 2023 issued a stern warning to China
for colliding two Filipino vessels off the Second Thomas Shoal in the
South China Sea. There was no injury, though, in the high-sea kerfuffle between
two Chinese Coast Guards vessels and two Filipino ships on October 22, 2023.
Filipino government officials summoned a Chinese diplomat from the embassy to
lodge a strong protest. On October 23, 2023, Filipino President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr. called an emergency cabinet meeting with Defense Secretary
Gilberto Theodoro and other security and military officials.
SOUTH KOREA
South Koreans Display Poll Enthusiasm amidst Coronavirus
Even coronavirus pandemic couldn't douse the enthusiasm of the voters to give a mandate on President Moon Jae-in's governance, especially in the light of the government's handling of COVID-19 pandemic. A high turnout has been recorded in the April 15, 2020, parliamentary election in which Moon's Democratic Party and its allies are expected to do well.
Ruling Party Wins a Landslide; First North Korean Defector Wins
South Korean voters gave a decisive thumbs-up to President Moon Jae-in and the ruling bloc as the governing political bloc scored a huge win in April 15, 2020, parliamentary election, throwing support to administration's effective coronavirus mitigation campaign. Among the winner was the first ever North Korean defector, Thae Yong Ho, who had been stationed in London and defected to South Korea in 2016, alleging Kim Jong Un carrying out executions of his own officials and pursuing nuclear program while his country's people suffered. Thae Yong Ho contested the election on opposition conservative party ticket.
South's Unification Minister Resigns
South Korea's Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul submitted his resignation on June 19, 2020, and President Moon Jae-in accepted it. Kim has been serving as the head of Korean unification portfolio since April 2019, and is leaving without holding a single meeting with North Korean officials. Kim stated in a farewell address to the department employees that his resignation would provide a new "opportunity" to engage with North Korea. Kim's resignation came three days after a June 16, 2020, made-for-TV explosion to rage a liaison office built on the northern border village Kaesong. The liaison office worked as a communication and diplomatic bridge between two Koreas and was seen as a sure progress in relations between two Koreas. However, North Korea in recent months have taken a much aggressive posture against South Korea for continued economic sanctions, propaganda campaign by a section of South's military personnel and activist groups as they had sent anti-North fliers across the border and lack of progress in inter-Korean relations. North Korean authorities blew up the liaison office in a made-for-TV show on June 16, 2020. North Korea also announced that an agreement with Seoul signed in 2018 was now null and void.
SOUTH KOREA
South Koreans Display Poll Enthusiasm amidst Coronavirus
Even coronavirus pandemic couldn't douse the enthusiasm of the voters to give a mandate on President Moon Jae-in's governance, especially in the light of the government's handling of COVID-19 pandemic. A high turnout has been recorded in the April 15, 2020, parliamentary election in which Moon's Democratic Party and its allies are expected to do well.
Ruling Party Wins a Landslide; First North Korean Defector Wins
South Korean voters gave a decisive thumbs-up to President Moon Jae-in and the ruling bloc as the governing political bloc scored a huge win in April 15, 2020, parliamentary election, throwing support to administration's effective coronavirus mitigation campaign. Among the winner was the first ever North Korean defector, Thae Yong Ho, who had been stationed in London and defected to South Korea in 2016, alleging Kim Jong Un carrying out executions of his own officials and pursuing nuclear program while his country's people suffered. Thae Yong Ho contested the election on opposition conservative party ticket.
South's Unification Minister Resigns
South Korea's Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul submitted his resignation on June 19, 2020, and President Moon Jae-in accepted it. Kim has been serving as the head of Korean unification portfolio since April 2019, and is leaving without holding a single meeting with North Korean officials. Kim stated in a farewell address to the department employees that his resignation would provide a new "opportunity" to engage with North Korea. Kim's resignation came three days after a June 16, 2020, made-for-TV explosion to rage a liaison office built on the northern border village Kaesong. The liaison office worked as a communication and diplomatic bridge between two Koreas and was seen as a sure progress in relations between two Koreas. However, North Korea in recent months have taken a much aggressive posture against South Korea for continued economic sanctions, propaganda campaign by a section of South's military personnel and activist groups as they had sent anti-North fliers across the border and lack of progress in inter-Korean relations. North Korean authorities blew up the liaison office in a made-for-TV show on June 16, 2020. North Korea also announced that an agreement with Seoul signed in 2018 was now null and void.
South Korean President Hails "America's Return" to World Stage
South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with Joe Biden in the White House on May 21, 2021, becoming only the second leader to have in-person meeting with the 46th U.S. president. The scheduled time for the meeting was exceeded as both leaders continued with their talks despite their aides' repeated reminders that the time was over. President Biden made fun of that, saying that "I enjoyed the meeting so much". Their talks pivoted on North Korea's nuclear program, fight against COVID-19, common approach against the Chinese dominance in East and Far-East Asia. As far as the U.S. approach to North Korea's nuclear program is concerned, Biden administration has completed last month (April 2021) a thorough review of the U.S. policy vis-a-vis stability of the Korean Peninsula. President Joe Biden will stay away from the paths taken by his two predecessors: an expected "grand bargain" that Former President Donald Trump has envisioned through his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Former President Barack Obama's policy of "strategic patience". However, Biden administration is yet to spell out what will be the third track. South Korean President Moon Jae-in praised Joe Biden for leading the U.S. to return to the world stage.
U.S. Official, South Korean Foreign Minister Agree to Engage with North Korea
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, in the midst of a trip through the region, on July 22, 2021 met with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong at Seoul, and both diplomats agreed to engage with Pyongyang to bring North Korea back to realm of negotiation process as part of denuclearization and permanent peace in Korean Peninsula.
Former
South Korean President to Receive a Pardon
South
Korea said on December 24, 2021
that it would take steps to pardon and free Former South Korean President Park
Geun-hye, now serving a prison sentence after arrested in 2017 for bribery
and corruption that had led to major protests.
South Korea Returns to Conservative Rule
In the March 9, 2022, presidential election, People Power Party
candidate Yun Sook Yeol emerged victorious, taking the country to a sharp right-ward
turn, a clear hardening of the foreign policy posture towards North Korea and a
closer orbit with the United States.
U.S., South Korea Conduct War Drills
U.S. and South Korea wrapped up a three-day joint naval exercise in
the Philippines Sea on June 4, 2022. Hours later, North Korea
fired at least one ballistic missile.
South Korea to Allow Access to North's TV, Newspapers
South Korean Ministry of Unification on July 22, 2022 presented conservative
President Yun Sook Yeol with a scenario that, if implemented, would have a
longer term positive impact in the Korean Peninsula. Ministry’s policy report
calls for lifting the blockade on North Korean TV broadcasts and newspapers,
and urges Pyongyang to show a similar gesture.
U.S., South Korea Launch Largest Military Drills in Years
Ratcheting up the tension in Korean Peninsula, U.S. and South Korea
on August 22, 2022 launched Ulchi Freedom Shield that would run
through September 1, 2022, and involve aircraft, warships, tanks and
tens of thousands of soldiers from both nations. The drill, Ulchi Freedom
Shield, will be the largest war drill in recent years.
********************************* HALLOWEEN STAMPEDE ************
At least 150 Killed in Stampede in Seoul
A stampede ensued as a crowd of mostly teenagers and youths were
celebrating a Halloween Party night on October 29, 2022 at Seoul’s leisure
district of Itaewon, killing at least 151 people and wounding
more than 82. The tragedy marked one of the worst human disasters in South
Korean history. Itaewon is famous for nightlife and trendy bars, and in recent
years, open-air Halloween festivities have caught fire too with young people. South
Korean government recently relaxed the strict COVID-19 restrictions, giving young
people an opportunity to party around Halloween. The stampede began at a narrow
alleyway, and people began to fall like a house of cards. Many people were
trampled to death. President Yoon Suk Yeol on October 30, 2022 addressed
the nation, saying that his regime’s tasks now included treating the wounded,
arranging funerals and helping out the families of victims. South Korean
President Yoon Suk Yeol also demanded a thorough probe of the tragedy.
Charges to be Filed against 23 in Halloween Stampede
After a 74-day investigation, Son Je-han, the head of National Police Agency's special investigation team, on January 13, 2023 said that criminal charges would be filed against 23 people, including almost half of them connected to law enforcement, on negligence and involuntary manslaughter among other counts. Among the targets are Park Hee-young, mayor of Seoul's Youngsan district, and the district's former police chief Lee Im-jae.
********************************* HALLOWEEN STAMPEDE ************
U.S. Launches First Foreign Space Force Unit
That the asymmetric conflict is going to grow and, the space will be a
significant part of it, is confirmed by the U.S. announcement to create a new
space force unit in Korea that will receive, process, and analyze key data
focused on the threat from North Korea, Russia, and China. On December 14,
2022, U.S. military activated the U.S. Space Forces Korea at Osan Air
Base near Seoul. The satellite airbase in South Korea will be part of the broader
U.S. Space Force—the first new U.S. military service in more than 70
years—established in December 2019. Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion,
head of the new space unit based in the Osan Air Base, said that “just 48 miles
north of us exists existential threat”, referring to North Korea.
U.S. Commits Advanced Weapons, Expanded Joint Drills with South Korea
U.S. Defense Secretary Llyod Austin met his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jong-Sup,
at Seoul on January 31, 2023 and vowed that U.S.’ commitment to
preserving and protecting the ally’s security was “ironclad”. He said that U.S.
would ship more advanced weapons to South Korea, send aircraft carriers more
frequently to the Korean Peninsula and hold more joint military drills with
Seoul.
Trilateral Sea Drills to Shore up Defense against North’s Submarine
Activities
As North Korea is sharpening the technological knowhow and
capabilities of launching missiles from submarines, it becomes imperative for
the U.S., Japan, and South Korea to amp up the military readiness in sea
in general and scale up the anti-submarine, underwater capabilities in
particular. As part of that goal, U.S., South Korea and Japan on April 3,
2023 launched a two-day joint antisubmarine drill in international
waters.
Military, Diplomacy Ramp up with Three-way Exercises, Two-way Drills,
Bilateral Talks
In response to North Korea’s most powerful solid propellant-powered ballistic
missile test, U.S., South Korea and Japan held a one-day, large-scale military
exercises on April 17, 2023 in the international waters off the eastern
coast of Korean Peninsula. The three-way April 17, 2023, exercise
involved destroyers of aegis class from each of the participating nations.
Separately, U.S. and South Korea launched war drills on April 17,
2023, deploying about 110 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter
jets. The war drills will continue through April 28, 2023.
Diplomatically, there is a progress, overdue and long desired, that has
brought diplomats and negotiators from South Korea and Japan to resume bilateral
talks on April 17, 2023 after a hiatus of six years.
Washington Declaration Binds Two Allies on a Firmer Footing
Officials from the United States and South Korea worked feverishly on an
agreement in the run-up to South Korean President Yun Sook Yeol’s state
visit to Washington D.C. on April 26, 2023. The agreement, known as the Washington
Declaration, affirms the long-nurtured strategic relations between South
Korea and the U.S.
U.S., South Korea Update a Key Defense Agreement
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on November 13, 2023 signed a new version
of a key bilateral security agreement with his South Korean counterpart, Shin
Won-sik, at Seoul. The updated version of the Tailored Deterrence
Strategy calls for a deeper bilateral bond and expands the diplomatic, strategic
and security relationship between the allies to a new level of cooperation. Tailored
Deterrence Strategy was not updated for a decade, and the November 13,
2023, signing of the latest version of the agreement gave both the nations
nurturing ground to cultivate and corral the relationship to a new security
partnership to counter the threat from North Korea.
On November 12, 2023, Secretary Llyod Austin met with ROK,
or Republic of Korea, [South Korean] President Yoon Suk Yeol. During the
day, there was also a trilateral meeting among Austin, South Korean Defense
Minister Shin Won-sik, and Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, who
joined the session with a video call. The November 13, 2023, upgrade of
the Tailored Deterrence Strategy enables the U.S. to deploy the full
range of military asset, including nuclear capabilities, to neuter any future North
Korean threat.
Opposition Leader Stabbed
Democratic Party leader Lee Lae-myung, who lost to President Yoon Suk Yeol by 0.7% vote,
the slimmest margin in any presidential election, was stabbed in the neck by a
knife-wielding man at Busan on January 2, 2024. The tough-talking opposition
leader was at a proposed new airport site in Busan when the attacker posed as
an autograph-taker. He was airlifted to a hospital in Seoul.
SRI LANKA
Hardline Defense Hawk Wins Presidential Election
Former Defense Minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa, younger brother of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, won the plurality of the votes to win the country's November 16, 2019, presidential election in a crowded field of 35 candidates. Rights groups assailed the record of Gotabaya Rajapaksa's scorched-earth aggressive military strategy against Tamil separatist movement in the island nation's Jaffna Peninsula. However, in view of April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks that had killed about 260 people, Sri Lankan voters had undergone a sea change in political outlook and turned towards a strong hand to deal with terrorism and security threats.
On November 17, 2019, Election Commission head Mahinda Deshapriya announced Rajapaksa the winner with 6.9 million votes, or 52.25 percent votes, about 1.3 million more than what Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa had received.
SRI LANKA
Hardline Defense Hawk Wins Presidential Election
Former Defense Minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa, younger brother of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, won the plurality of the votes to win the country's November 16, 2019, presidential election in a crowded field of 35 candidates. Rights groups assailed the record of Gotabaya Rajapaksa's scorched-earth aggressive military strategy against Tamil separatist movement in the island nation's Jaffna Peninsula. However, in view of April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks that had killed about 260 people, Sri Lankan voters had undergone a sea change in political outlook and turned towards a strong hand to deal with terrorism and security threats.
On November 17, 2019, Election Commission head Mahinda Deshapriya announced Rajapaksa the winner with 6.9 million votes, or 52.25 percent votes, about 1.3 million more than what Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa had received.
Premier Resigns over Protest Violence
As
the economic crisis in Sri Lanka deepened over the past few months as foreign
currency reserve had dried up and imports had been squeezed that had led to
dire food shortages, soaring inflation and rolling power outages,
anti-government protests had drawn people from all walks of life. In recent
weeks, protests had turned violent as government had adopted more repressive
tactics to suppress the people’s movement, eventually spiraling out of control
on May 9, 2022 as ruling party supporters and protesters fought
pitched battle and security forces opened fire on protesters. Scores of protesters
were killed as well as a ruling party lawmaker. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa
on May 9, 2022 announced his resignation. President Gotabaya
Rajapaksa, premier’s brother, announced imposition of curfew from May 9, 2022 evening through May 11, 2022 morning, and deployed armed forces
to preserve law and order. Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 12, 2022 became the country's prime minister for the sixth time.
Protesters Attacked by Tear Gas, Water Cannon
Sri Lankan security forces on May 28, 2022 lobbed tear gas cells
and blasted water cannons to ward off the protesters from approaching the
presidential office on the 50th day of the anti-government protest
movement. The protesters are demanding the resignation Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The country is facing an acute economic crisis, with a crushing foreign debt of
$51 billion. Sri Lanka has suspended $7 billion in payment this
year. The Indian Ocean island-nation is expected to repay $25 billion
through 2026, which now looks very much in doubt.
Sri Lankan Leaders to Step down
Angry over rapidly deteriorating economic scenario, surging prices of
daily commodities and scarcity of food and necessary items, tens of thousands
of demonstrators on July 9, 2022 seized presidential palace and prime
ministerial home. Video shows demonstrators cooking at the presidential
kitchen, taking selfies on the swimming pool and lunging on beds. Whereabouts
of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
were not immediately known. A statement attributed to Ranil Wickremesinghe
has said that, once a government is in place, he will step down. Soon
afterwards, speaker of the parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, said in
a televised statement that the president would resign on July 13, 2022. The
speaker added that parliamentary leaders had met earlier in the day and
requested the president to quit.
Protesters Continue to Seize Buildings as Opposition Leaders Meet
Opposition parliamentarians met on July 10, 2022 at Colombo, a
day after defiant protesters all but ignored country’s security forces to seize
president’s office, his seaside residence and prime minister’s home. On July
10, 2022, a celebratory mood prevailed at those government buildings, with
youths jumping into pools, taking selfies and cooking food. Opposition parties,
including main opposition United People’s Force, are continuing
discussions amongst each other as well as breakaway groups from ruling
coalition to form an alternative government as the economy and political chaos
is plunging the tiny island nation into unchartered territory.
Sri Lanka: President to Resign, Premier says
As demonstrators have settled in official residences and government
offices at Colombo, cooking, jumping into pools, taking selfies, playing cards
and huddling in the conference rooms, the rule of law seems to be taking a back
seat. On July 11, 2022, the office of prime minister issued a statement,
reiterating the previous stand of the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksha,
that he would resign on July 13, 2022. U.S. Secretary of State
Anthony Blinken on July 10, 2022 said that the crisis stemming from the
Russian invasion of Ukraine was being felt in other nations, including Sri
Lanka, where an existing food crisis might have taken a political
life-and-death turn.
President Flees Sri Lanka as Demonstrators Continue Occupying Leaders’
Homes, Offices
As thousands of protesters continued occupying luxurious official
residences and offices of the premier and president amidst a party-like mood, Sri
Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha and his wife fled the island nation
under the darkness in early hours of July 13, 2022. The Air Force plane has
been reported to be flying to Male, Maldives. Hours earlier on July
12, 2022, president’s brother, Basil Rajapaksha, tried to board an
Emirates Airlines flight, but prevented by authorities. Basil Rajapaksha
was the island nation’s finance minister until April 2022 when he was
forced to step down amid an economic meltdown.
President Names Premier Acting Head of State before Fleeing
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha fled the country on July
13, 2022 along with his wife to Male, Maldives. Before that, he
named Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as acting president. That
further roiled an already edgy nation, with protesters scaling the walls of the
prime minister’s office compound. Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Shavendra Silva
issued an order, calling for calm and cooperation with security forces.
Protesters Retreat from Government Buildings
Protesters on July 14, 2022 began to withdraw from government buildings after a five-day siege.
Premier Becomes Acting President
On July 15, 2022, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was chosen as a candidate for interim president by the key political stakeholders of the island nation. He will be selected by the country's parliament before being sworn in. Now, he is serving as an acting president.
Sri Lanka’s Acting President Declares Emergency
Sri Lanka’s acting president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on July 18, 2022 declared a state of
emergency in this island nation of 22 million people. His action came three
days after he became the Southeast Asian nation’s acting president and
two days before lawmakers were to vote for an interim president. The Sri
Lanka Bar Association admonished the government against using emergency
powers to suppress people’s legitimate protests.
Acting President Wins Confidence Vote; Sworn in
After winning 134 votes from the 225-member parliament, Acting President Rani Wickremesinghe on July 21, 2022 was sworn in as the interim president of Sri Lanka. However, protesters on the streets are demanding Ranil's resignation.
Former President’s Arrest Demanded
A Sri Lankan civil rights group, International Truth and Justice
Project, on July 24, 2022 asked the Singapore government to
arrest Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his role in inhuman suppression
of Tamil unrest that had ended in 2009.
Ousted President Returns
Ousted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on September 2,
2022 returned to Colombo.
Protest against Local Polls Delay Turns Violent
That the authorities used the economic meltdown as a convenient excuse to
roll back democracy surely didn’t sit well with plebians. On February 26,
2023, demonstrators protesting the government
decision to delay local polls on the ground of economic constraints defied a
court ban on entering en masse the central official district of Colombo,
leading to a violent confrontation with security forces. Security forces lobbed
tear gas and fired water cannons. At least 15 demonstrators were wounded in the
melee.
TAIWAN
Pro-Independence President Wins a Second Term
In a resounding victory, President Tsai Ing-wen won a second term in the January 11, 2020, election by winning a record 8 million votes and 57% of the vote share in a three-way race. Her political party also won the national legislature, or Yuan. Dismissing the so called Hong Kong-style "one country, two systems" political set-up as proposed by Beijing, President Tsai Ing-wen said on January 11, 2020 that "we value the lifestyle of democracy".
China Sends 56 Fighter Jets Towards Taiwan
In a menacing maneuver for the fourth straight day, 56 Chinese fighter planes flew close to Taiwan on October 4, 2021, according to The Associated Press. During the first four days of October (October 1-4, 2021), a total of at least 100 sorties flew close to Taiwan, but stayed in the international airspace.
Biden’s
CNN Town Hall Comment Invites Chinese Ire
President
Joe Biden was
asked in the October 21, 2021, CNN Town Hall meeting, among
multitude of other questions, whether U.S. would come to the defense of Taiwan
if it were attacked, and his affirmative answer created another source of
tension between Sino-U.S. relationship. On October 22, 2021, Chinese
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin said that there was no “concession
or compromise” as far as Taiwan was concerned and nobody should underestimate
Chinese people’s determination to preserve its territorial integrity. White
House Press Secretary Jen Psaki during the day walked back on Biden’s
comment, emphasizing that the U.S. policy towards Taiwan had not changed.
North Korea Sees U.S. "Meddling" in Taiwan as a Direct Threat to Korean Peninsula
A day after President Biden said that U.S. would come to Taiwan's defense if attacked by China while responding to a CNN Town Hall question, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho said on October 22, 2021 (U.S. time), or October 23, 2021 (North Korean time), that, through "indiscreet meddling" in Taiwan-Chinese relationship and military action such as sending U.S. navy ships to Taiwan Strait, Washington was perturbing a "delicate balance on the Korean Peninsula". Many critics see Biden's town hall response as an abdication of years-old U.S. foreign policy approach of "strategic ambiguity" as far as China-Taiwan relationship is concerned.
China
Conducts Live-Drill amidst U.S. Lawmakers’ Visit to Taiwan
People’s
Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command on April 15, 2022 conducted military drill in the vicinity of
Taiwan as six U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen,
at the presidential palace. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao
Lijian called the U.S. lawmakers’ visit to the island as part of the “recent
negative actions by the U.S.” and PLA’s military drill as part of
countermeasures to “safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity”. The U.S.
delegation includes Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Bob
Menendez, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Richard Burr, Sen. Robert Portman, Sen.
Benjamin Sasse and Rep. Ronny Jackson. Sen. Menendez said in a
speech at the presidential palace that Taiwan “is a country of global
significance”.
China Expresses Strong Reservation over Taiwanese Arms Package
China’s defense minister, Gen. Wei Fenghe, while attending a
conference in Singapore, on June 10, 2022 took strong exception to US
government’ s June 8, 2022, announcement of the latest defense package for
Taiwan that included parts and wares of Taiwan’s naval fleet estimated at $120
million. Gen. Wei Fenghe has been quoted by the Chinese state-owned
CCTV to have expressed a “grave concern” to his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary
Llyod Austin, saying that the sale “seriously undermined China’s
sovereignty and security interests".
Pelosi’s Likely Visit to Taiwan Raises Tension
That U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may visit Taiwan has
upped the ante as Beijing has issued a stern warning that any such visit would
invite “resolute and stern measures”. In response, U.S. National Security
Spokesman John Kirby told reporters on July 29, 2022 that there was
absolutely no need for brinkmanship as there was no shift in the USA’s “One
China” policy. A day before, July 28, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Biden during a phone call about an adversarial impact that a Pelosi visit to Taiwan could bring on the bilateral relationship.
White House Drops a Cautionary Note on Pelosi’s Potential Trip
That the first time a U.S. House Speaker is visiting Taiwan on an
official trip since Newt Gingrich’s 1997 visit has made the Biden White
House edgy as is amplified by the National Security Council Spokesman John
Kirby’s warning on August 1, 2022 that “China appears to be
positioning itself to take further steps” to retaliate against a possible
Pelosi visit to Taipei. Kirby reiterated that U.S. policy to Taiwan vis-Ã -vis China
had not changed.
Speaker Pelosi Lands in Taiwan, China Announces Military Drills
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived at Taipei late August 2, 2022, a historic visit by
a U.S. House speaker for the first time in a quarter century. Concurrent with her
arrival at Taiwan, The Washington Post published an Op Ed penned by Speaker
Nancy Pelosi in which she vowed that “we must stand by Taiwan”. Biden
administration, though, didn’t explicitly ask Speaker Pelosi to call off her
Taiwan trip, instead assuring Beijing on Washington’s commitment to the “One
China” policy. In response to Pelosi’s visit, China announced massive
military drills in Taiwan Strait.
Pelosi Meets with Taiwan’s President, Rankles China
On August 3, 2022, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met
with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, and emphasized, in a joint
appearing, “America’s determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and
around the world”. China has threatened live-fire exercises and other naval and
aerial drills in and near Taiwan Strait once Speaker Pelosi leaves the
island nation. The explosive situation in Taiwan Strait is a copybook
reminder of another escalation in 1995 after the then-Taiwanese President Lee
Teng-hui’s visit to the U.S., leading to China holding live-fire drills.
China to Suspend Two Communication Channels with Washington
That Beijing didn’t take U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to
Taiwan lightly played out with one more action of drastic diplomatic steps on August
5, 2022 as it cut off two key channels of communication with Washington. A
night before, August 4, 2022 night, White House summoned Chinese
Ambassador Quin Gang to formally lodge protest against military exercises
in Taiwan Strait. China’s decision to cut off the military channel of
communication and climate change channel of communication on August
5, 2022 is a tit-for-tat response in an escalating diplomatic and military crisis
related to Taiwan.
Taiwan Issues Alert as China Continues War Drills in Taiwan Strait
Taiwanese military on August 6, 2022 issued military alert and
activated defense readiness in response to the largest war drill by China in 27
years that included a simulated attack on the island nation. China launched a
days-long defense maneuvering and naval exercises right after Speaker Nancy
Pelosi had left Taipei on August 4, 2022. On August 6, 2022,
Taiwan complained that it had detected four unmanned drones near the offshore island
of Kinmen. Taiwan’s Kinmen Defense Command said that four drones
were spotted flying in the vicinity of Kinman Island group and nearby Lieyu
Island and Beiding islet.
China Holds Fourth-day War Drills in Air, Sea near Taiwan
Chinese naval forces and aviators on August 7, 2022 held their war
drills in the waters and air around Taiwan Strait for the fourth
consecutive day. China on August 4, 2022 launched the largest military exercise
in almost 27 years in response to a high-profile visit by U.S. House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi. People’s Liberation Army issued a statement, saying
that its forces had carried out tests and drills for long-range and ground
strikes. Taiwan’s defense ministry said on August 7, 2022 that it
had detected 66 Chinese aircraft and 14 ships participating in
the massive war drills.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Accuses Beijing of Using Pelosi Trip as Excuse
Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, on August 9, 2022 blamed China and the
ruling Communist Party for escalating the tension in Taiwan Strait
and using the trip of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island as
an excuse to launch war drills in and around Taiwan Strait. Joseph Wu
also accused Beijing of using the “drills in its military playbook to prepare
for invasion of Taiwan”. Meanwhile, the Eastern Theater Command of the
People’s Liberation Army said on August 9, 2022 that its air and marine
drills continued for the sixth consecutive day in and around the Taiwan
Strait.
U.S. Lawmakers Arrive at Taiwan
Roughly a fortnight after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit
to Taiwan that had spooked Beijing, a five-member delegation of U.S. lawmakers—Sen.
Ed Markey, D-Mass.; Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, a Republican delegate
from American Samoa; Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.; Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif.;
and Rep. Don Beyer, D-VA.—arrived at the Songshan Airport in Taipei at
7PM August 14, 2022. The delegation will meet President Tsai Ing-wen
and other officials in the coming days.
Taiwan’s President Resigns as the Head of the Ruling Party after Local
Poll Debacle
That the existential threat of Taiwan and China’s aggressive policy didn’t
work well for the ruling party and the issue of ultra-nationalism might have
very little repercussion in the local polls became evident on November 26,
2022 after Taiwanese chose city council members, mayors and other officials
for all 13 counties and nine cities. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party,
which banked on people’s fear factors and focused on Chinese threat instead of
local issues, experienced significant drubbing in the hustings. President Tsai
Ing-wen on November 26, 2022 evening tendered her resignation as the ruling
party leader, taking the customary action of assuming responsibility for poll
debacle. Nationalist Party swept the local polls, including its
candidate Chiang Wan-an winning the race for Taipei mayor.
Nationalists also won in Taoyuan, Taichung, and New Taipei City.
China’s Muscular Response to U.S. Omnibus Bill’s Defense Focus on Taiwan,
India
Hours after the U.S. Congress passed an omnibus spending package to fund
the government through September 30, 2023, China sent 71 fighter jets
and seven warships toward Taiwan in a span of 24 hours, Taiwan said on
December 26, 2022. China is livid at the U.S. Defense spending’s focus on
firming up the bond with Taiwan and reinforcing defense partnership with India
on defense technology, logistics and readiness.
U.S. Lawmakers Meet Taiwanese Parliamentary Chief
In the backdrop of China’s top diplomat Wang Yi’s recent remarks
at the Munich Security Conference that Taiwan “has never been a country
and it will not be a country in the future”, the official visit of a group of
U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan assumes greater significance and underlines the strong
U.S.-Taiwan relationship. On February 20, 2023, Reps. Ro Khanna of
California, Tony Gonzalez of Texas, Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts, and
Jonathan Jackson Illinois met with the head of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan,
You Si-kun. The group is slated to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and
other business leaders.
Ukraine Gridlock Gives China a Pause over Taiwan
Appearing at the CBS’ Face the Nation on February 26,
2023, CIA Director Williams Burns said that although Chinese President
Xi Jinping had ordered People’s Liberation Army to be ready by 2027
for an eventual invasion of Taiwan, the Ukraine War which had become a grind
for Russia with no clear sight of the victory had raised doubt among China’s
leadership—including Xi Jinping—about the potential outcome of a similar
invasion against the breakaway island of Taiwan. U.S. maintains a “strategic
ambiguity” policy about Taiwan’s status. In 1979, Former President Jimmy
Carter recognized China and cut nation-to-nation ties with Taiwan. Congress
followed up with the Taiwan Relations Act, thus creating a new threshold
for relationship with Taiwan.
McCarthy’s Meeting with Taiwan’s President Attracts Strong Military
Reaction from Beijing
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on April 5, 2023 met with U.S.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at Reagan Presidential Library, reiterating the
existing strong political bond with the U.S. Congress as both McCarthy and his
predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, sent an unmistakable message to Beijing that U.S.
would not give up on nurturing an independent and deepening relationship with
Taiwan. Tsai Ing-wen is in the midst of a seven-day whirlwind trip
through Central America to firm up relations with very few nations that have
recognized Taiwan, and en route returning home, has stopped at California. In
response, China sent Shandong aircraft carrier through Bashi Strait,
Southeast of Taiwan.
Taiwanese Leader Condemns Irresponsible “Behavior” of China
As Beijing wrapped up a three-day (April 8-10, 2023) military
drill in the Taiwan Strait, apparently in response to the Taiwanese
president’s recent meeting with the U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at
the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, Taiwanese President Tsai
Ing-wen on April 11, 2023 issued a hard-hitting statement at Taipei,
condemning China’s “attitude” that didn’t measure up to “a responsible major
nation in this region”. President Tsai Ing-wen also reiterated her
island nation’s resolve to build and sustain relations with allied and partner
nations as per “Taiwanese people’s shared expectation".
China’s Top Diplomat Threatens over Taiwan at a Global Security
Conference
That the nature of China’s threat over Taiwan is changing has become
evident that it’s no more left to low-ranking diplomats, or ministry
spokespersons, to issue stern warnings, instead a cabinet minister as high as foreign
minister using a global conference to issue threat to Taiwan and its allies for
“playing with fire” over the breakaway island. Speaking at the Global
Security Initiative at Sanghai on April 21, 2023, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin
Gang said that China’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity is beyond
reproach".
Taiwan Elects Pro-Independence Vice President as President
Ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, Lai
Ching-te, the
current vice president, won the presidency in the January 13, 2024,
election. Lai’s running mate was Bi-Khim Hsaio.
THAILAND
Thai
Government Imposes Emergency in Bangkok
A
brewing students-led movement against Thai monarchy, growing authoritarian bent
and lack of democratic participation in nation’s institutions had a tipping
point on October 14, 2020 night as a large number student and youth
activists rallied at Bangkok’s historic district and a section of demonstrators
tried to intercept a royal motorcade. That broke the patience of Prime
Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha regime’s patience. At the dawn of October 15,
2020, the government banned large rallies and imposed emergency in Bangkok.
At least 22 leaders of the protest movement had been taken into custody since
the emergency declaration. Later in the evening, thousands of demonstrators
defied government ban on large gatherings and showed up at a different place in
Bangkok.
Protesters
Defy Ban, Clash with Security Forces
As
the intensity of anti-government, anti-monarchy protest movement, primarily led
by the country’s youths and students,
that had begun in July 2020 to demand, among others, more democratic
rights, curbing the power of Thai monarchy, constitutional amendment and new
elections increased in tone and tenor in recent days, leading to the government
of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha regime to ban gathering of more than
five people and clamping a national emergency in Bangkok after a large
demonstration on October 14, 2020 turned belligerent, including
obstruction to a royal motorcade. However, young activists were in no mood to
oblige the government, and they had now demanded the resignation of the
premier. A large number of young and student activists rallied in Bangkok and
elsewhere on October 16, 2020 in open defiance of emergency and ban on
gatherings, leading to clashes with Thai security forces. Thai security forces
used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowd. Meanwhile, on political
front, Thai government on October 16, 2020 took the extreme step of blocking
the petition site Change.org after it gathered more than 130,000 signatures requesting
German government to prevent Thai King Vajiralongkorn from staying in
Germany. King Vajiralongkorn often stays in Germany, but holds tremendous
sway in Thai politics, raising ire of Thai people, especially country’s youths
and students.
Protest against Premier, Monarchy Resumes
About 1,000 protesters assembled at Asoke intersection at Bangkok on September 5, 2021 to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. The demonstration is, in many ways, the resumption of the regular demonstrations that antigovernment protesters used to hold on regular basis in the pre-pandemic era. Pre-pandemic demonstrations were centered around three key demands: (1) resignation of Prayuth, (2) amendment of the constitution, and (3) reforming the monarchy to make it more accountable. On September 5, 2021, demonstrators added another chorus of demand: a full accountability of failure of COVID-19 vaccination effort. Prayuth's government survived a no-confidence motion in parliament just a day earlier (September 4, 2021). Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former military general, came to power in a military coup in 2014, but he lost significant popular support over the past year over government corruption and bungled vaccination endeavor.
Thai Parliamentary Poll Results Repudiate Military, Monarchy
A day after the May 14, 2023, parliamentary polls that had
brought many young voters to polling booths against what the younger generation
had perceived a corrosive alliance between the military and monarchy, two main
opposition political parties began negotiation on May 15, 2023 on coalition
formation that would shun the influence of the country’s army. In the election
to 500-member parliament, Move Forward Party led by 42-year-old businessman
Pita Limjaroenrat surprised the nation by eking out Pheu Thai Party
as the dominant political force.
Former Premier Returns to Face Prison as a Party Linked to Him Wins Vote
of Confidence
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on August 22, 2023 returned to Bangkok
to face an eight-year prison sentence. His surprise return coincided with an
11-party coalition winning a vote of confidence from the country’s parliament,
thus clearing the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the Asian nation since the May
2023 parliamentary polls. Pheu Thai Party-led coalition won 482 votes out of
727 lawmakers present. Pheu Thai’s Srettha Thavisin is likely to
become the next premier and head the coalition government that includes two
pro-military political parties. The highest seat winner, Move Forward Party,
is not part of the governing coalition.
Former Thai Billionaire Premier Released Early
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on February 18, 2024 was released from
detention after the ruling coalition government that included a political party
led by his daughter accorded him the clemency on his old age.
VIETNAM
Japan, Vietnam Sign Defense Partnership
Japanese and Vietnamese defense ministers on September 11, 2021 signed a defense partnership deal, making the Communist country the 11th nation with which Tokyo had signed such defense pact. The exact nature of the equipment and hardware that Japan will provide will be hashed out in the subsequent talks. Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi called the partnership as a deepening bond between the nations aimed at raising the relationship "to a new level". The meeting between Nobuo Kishi and his Vietnamese counterpart, Phan Van Giang, at Hanoi coincided with a two-day visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Vietnam.
